Odisha doubles incentives for inter-caste marriages

Bhubaneswar: In a move that is seen playing a crucial role in bringing down caste disparity, Odisha government has Thursday hiked incentives for inter-caste marriages.

The monetary assistance for inter-caste marriage couples has been doubled to Rs 1 lakh from Rs 50,000 as per the notification issued by SC, ST Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department.

The monetary assistance will be provided to men and women who opt to marry outside their caste informed SC/ST secretary Surendra Kumar.

The grant to couples for inter-caste marriages between the Scheduled Caste belonging to the Hindu community and other caste-Hindus was under consideration of the Government and the proposal was also discussed in the meeting of the Scheduled Caste Welfare Advisory Board held on June 2015.

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Odisha government maintains that the cash incentive has been hiked to encourage inter-caste marriage to eradicate untouchability while there will not be any income restriction in availing the benefit, the notification read.

As per norms, the couple shall have to apply for sanction and will have to execute a bond.

The couple has to refund the amount within a year if its marriage ends in divorce within five years, sources said.