GUWAHATI, Nov 20 - The State exchequer will bear an estimated outlay of Rs 800 crore for the year 2020 under the Arundhati Gold Scheme, which was approved by the State Cabinet on Tuesday. The scheme will come into effect from January 1, 2020.
As per the scheme, every newly-wed woman would be given Rs 30,000 to buy gold once she registers her marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, provided the cumulative annual income of her and her parents does not exceed Rs 5 lakh.
This was informed by Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while talking to media persons here today. He also stated that the scheme would be applicable for the first marriage only.
�The idea behind the scheme is to give boost to women empowerment initiative and encourage girls to get their marriages registered, which can shield them from various risk factors,� he said, adding, the minimum educational qualification for the couple will be matriculation.
However, the minister said that there will be exemption in the educational qualification criteria for the tea tribes and Adivasi people, as access to high school education is still a problem for them.
Replying to a query, Sarma said the government may consider hiking the amount from Rs 30,000 in the future keeping in view the dynamic price index.
Although, nearly three lakh marriages are solemnised every year in the State, the number of registration stands at 60,000 on an average, which comprises mostly of the affluent section of the society or those who opt for inter-case marriage.
