Himanta explains benefits of 10 grams gold scheme for brides

February 25: Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while presenting the state budget on February 6th, 2019 announced 1 tola gold (equivalent to 10 grams of gold) for the brides under the scheme ‘Arundhati’. On Monday, while addressing a public gathering at Dongibil in Bihupuria area of North Lakhimpur Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the benefits of the scheme ‘Arundhati’ under which the brides will get one tola gold from the Assam government.

• The benefit under the scheme can be availed upon formal registration of the marriage under Special Marriage (Assam) Rules, 1954.
• The benefit will reach the beneficiary right in time for the social marriage.
• The benefit will be limited to only economically weaker sections, whose annual income is below Rs 5 lakh, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

• The Assam government aims to reduce child marriage by implementing the ‘Arundhati’ scheme. The benefit can be availed after the formal registration of the marriage at the court. The marriage will be registered as per the decided age of the girl (minimum 18) and boy (minimum 21) and hence it will help in reducing child marriages.

• The scheme will help to fight against the triple talaq practice and ensure gender equality and justice in the society. If someone wants to go for triple talaq, he has to go for a formal divorce, which will require paying alimony to the bride. This scheme would support such women to avail the alimony.
• Rs 300 Cr has been earmarked for the ‘Arundhati’ scheme.
• The scheme will get kick-started from April 2019.