Bhubaneswar (SunstarTV Bureau): The Odisha government has revised the guidelines for providing incentive amount for marriage between normal persons and with benchmark disabilities persons.
According to revised guidelines, the scheme has been enhanced from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2,50,000 per respective couple. The cash incentive will be given to either of the spouse with benchmark disability if other person marries a person with benchmark disability.
The initiative has been urged on a form of letter to collectors by, Bhaskar Sarma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to department of social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Sarma further stated that guidelines for award of the cash incentive have been revised due to some operational problems brought to the notice during implementation of the scheme. The revised guidelines will be effective from the date of its issue.
Aadhaar Linked Disability Certificate, Marriage Registration Certificate issued by the competent registration authority of marriages, Self-attested Postcard Size Joint Photograph of the couple, residential certificate issued by the Tahsildar or any other authentic Proof of residence required for filling up the application form.
After completion of verification and other procedures, the incentive amount will be disbursed to the couple through Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS). The amount of incentive shall be locked in for three years.
Withdrawal is allowed in three phases with withdrawal of 10% of the funds after six months, next 10% after one year and the balance 80% of the funds after successful completion of three years of the marriage.
The couple can withdraw the amount under joint signature. The bank shall be advised accordingly.
The names of couple who are sanctioned Marriage Incentive Awards sanctioned shall be displayed on the website of the District and State Department of Social Security & Empowerment Persons with Disabilities along with scanned Joint Photograph of the Couple. If rejected, the reasons thereof shall be intimated to the applicant by the Collector & District Magistrate.
The fraudulent will be punishable with imprisonment up to two years or Rs 1 lakh fine. In case of divorce or dissolution of marriage within three to five years from the date of receipt of first installment, the normal person among the couple is liable for refund of 50 per cent of the total amount as arrear of land revenue within one year of the occurrence failing which principal amount with annual interest of 6.5% will be charged from him/her.
The eligible couple will have to apply online in the department website www.ssepd.gov.in under the Application for Marriage Incentive menu.
