OBCs' marriage aid plan a big hit in UP
Lucknow: The state govt's scheme to provide financial aid to couples from OBCs at the time of marriage is witnessing huge success.
Under this, govt provides Rs 20,000 to an OBC girl on her marriage.
According to data from the UP backward classes welfare department, the number of girls benefiting from this scheme nearly doubled in 2024-25 compared to the previous financial year.
While 55,551 girls were given aid in the previous year, the number surged to 1 lakh in 2024-25.
Minister of state (independent) for backward classes and empowerment of persons with disabilities Narendra Kashyap stated that the Yogi Adityanath govt's objective is to provide dignified marriage opportunities for daughters of poor OBC families.
"This scheme is more than just financial aid; it's a step toward ensuring equality and dignity. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath envisions a society where no daughter from a poor family feels overlooked on her wedding day.
We are moving steadily towards that goal. So far, over one lakh girls have benefited and we aim to significantly expand this reach in the coming years," he said.
An official said that the significant increase is primarily due to the revision of the income eligibility criteria.
by Taboola
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Earlier, the eligibility was restricted to urban and rural families below the poverty line. The income limit is now raised to Rs 1 lakh, which has allowed more families to avail themselves of the scheme. The income eligibility has been standardised for both urban and rural beneficiaries.
In light of this change, the department has also substantially increased its budget. In 2024-25, the backward classes welfare department's budget was Rs 2,789.71 crore, an increase of Rs 451.08 crore from Rs 2,338.63 crore in 2023-24.
Govt plans to launch an extensive publicity campaign to ensure that the scheme reaches as many eligible individuals as possible.
The budget allocation for the backward classes welfare department has seen a major rise under the BJP govt's tenure. While the total expenditure from 2012–13 to 2016–17 stood at Rs 6,928.71 crore, it surged to Rs 14,969.55 crore between 2017–18 and 2025–26, an increase of Rs 8,040.84 crore.
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