Telangana Government Expands Marriage Incentive Scheme to Include Couples with Disabilities
“People with disabilities deserve equal access to government benefits, especially those designed to support marriage and family life. This is a step toward equity and dignity," Seethakka said
Hyderabad: The state government has extended the marriage incentive scheme of ₹1 lakh to couples where both individuals have disabilities. The decision is aimed at promoting inclusivity and supporting persons with disabilities. The state government issued orders to this effect on Tuesday.
Until now, the scheme applied when one partner had a disability and the other did not. The exclusion of couples where both individuals were disabled had been a point of long-standing concern among disability rights activists. The change comes following the efforts of the minister for women, child, senior citizens and disabled welfare, Danasari Anasuya Seethakka, who identified and addressed the discriminatory gap in the existing policy.
“This is a long-overdue correction,” said minister Seethakka. “People with disabilities deserve equal access to government benefits, especially those designed to support marriage and family life. This is a step toward equity and dignity,' she added.
The government enhanced marriage incentive to Rs.1 lakh in 2018. Earlier it was Rs.50,000 until March 2018.
