The Shagun Yojana is a financial assistance scheme launched by the Department of Social Justice & Special Assistance, Government of Himachal Pradesh. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide a marriage grant for the wedding of a girl from a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family. The grant is targeted at cases where the parents/guardians or the girl herself (in the event her parents are not alive or traceable) require assistance to facilitate the marriage of the girl, provided she is a bonafide resident of Himachal Pradesh and above 18 years of age. Notably, even if the bride is marrying a groom from outside the state, she remains eligible.
Benefits
- Marriage Grant:
A grant of ₹31,000/- (Thirty Thousand Only) is provided for the marriage of the eligible girl. - Disbursement Process:
The grant is drawn and disbursed by the district programme officer to the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of the concerned project, who then transfers the amount directly into the bank account of the applicant. - Timing:
The grant may be disbursed two months in advance of the proposed marriage date. If the marriage has already taken place, the applicant can still claim the benefit if applied within six months from the marriage date. Applications beyond six months will not be considered. - Monitoring:
The Child Development Project Officer maintains a separate record for this scheme, and audits of expenditure are conducted similar to other schemes under the CDPO.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Shagun Yojana, the following criteria must be met:
- Residency:
Applicants must be permanent residents of Himachal Pradesh. - Age Requirements:
- The bride must be at least 18 years of age.
- The groom must be at least 21 years of age.
- Registration:
The name of the applicant girl must be registered on the e-district.hp.gov portal. - Economic and Social Background:
The applicant’s family must belong to one of the following categories: Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Additionally, destitute or financially challenged women who are unable to arrange funds for marriage can apply. Widow women seeking remarriage are also eligible under this scheme. - Exclusivity:
An applicant can avail benefits under only one of the two marriage grant schemes of the department (either Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojna or Shagun Yojana). A declaration to this effect must be submitted. - Utilization:
If the grant is not utilized within three months from the date of disbursement for the intended purpose, it must be refunded to the CDPO immediately.
Application Process
The application for Shagun Yojana is completed online through the e-district Himachal Pradesh portal:
- Registration:
- Visit the official e-district Himachal Pradesh website.
- Click on “Citizen Login” and then “New Registration”.
- Enter the required details and upload a photo identity proof along with a profile image.
- Login:
- Log in using your Udaar ID and password. Select the appropriate user type.
- Apply for the Scheme:
- Click on “Himachal Pradesh Vivah Shagun Yojana Apply Here” to open the application form.
- Enter all the requested information accurately.
- Upload the required documents in the prescribed format.
- Submit the application form.
- Acknowledgment:
- An acknowledgement will be generated. Print and retain this for future reference.
Documents Required
- For the Girl:
- Birth Certificate of the girl.
- Himachali Bonafide Certificate (issued by a competent revenue officer).
- BPL Certificate of the parents/guardian or, if the parents are not traceable, of the girl herself (certified by the competent authority).
- Copy of the Bank Account Passbook.
- Marriage Details:
- Certificate of the proposed date of marriage, issued by Gram Panchayats/MC/Nagar Panchayat or by the In-charge of Nari Sewa Sadan/Superintendent of Balika Ashram.
- If the marriage has already been performed, a certificate from the concerned Marriage Registrar, Gram Panchayat, or Executive Officer (as per the H.P. Marriage Registration Act, 1996).
- In Case of Parental Absence:
- Death certificate, non-traceable, or missing certificate of the parents, issued by the Gram Panchayat or Municipal Corporation.
- For the Groom:
- Name and address of the boy with whom the marriage is proposed, certified by the Gram Panchayat/MC.
- Proof of Date of Birth (the boy should be at least 21 years of age).
- Declaration:
- A declaration stating that the applicant is not availing benefits under any other marriage grant scheme (such as Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojna).
Verification Process
- The Child Development Project Officer or the in-charge of State Home, Nari Sewa Sadan, or the Superintendent of Balika Ashram verifies the details provided in the application.
- They ensure that the marriage has taken place (or is scheduled to take place) and that no other similar departmental scheme benefit has been received.
- The expenditure of the grant is monitored and audited.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible to avail the Shagun Yojana benefits?
Eligible applicants include girls from SC, ST, or OBC families who are permanent residents of Himachal Pradesh and are at least 18 years old. Widows seeking remarriage and destitute women without financial support are also eligible. - What is the minimum age of the girl to avail the benefits?
The girl must be 18 years of age or older. - What is the minimum age of the groom to avail the benefits?
The groom must be at least 21 years of age. - Can a widow also apply for this scheme?
Yes, widow women who wish to remarry are eligible. - Will the benefits be provided if the marriage takes place outside Himachal Pradesh?
The scheme is applicable provided the applicant girl is a permanent resident of Himachal Pradesh, even if the groom is from outside the state. - How much grant is provided under the scheme?
A marriage grant of ₹31,000/- is provided. - Can an applicant apply for more than one marriage grant scheme?
No, applicants can only avail benefits under one scheme (either Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojna or Shagun Yojana). - How do I apply for the scheme?
Applications are submitted online via the official e-district Himachal Pradesh portal. - What documents are required for the application?
Required documents include birth certificates, bonafide and BPL certificates, bank account details, marriage date certificate (or marriage registrar certificate, if applicable), and, if necessary, documents related to parental absence. - Is there any time limit for application submission post marriage?
If the marriage has already taken place, the application must be submitted within six months from the date of marriage. - What happens if the grant is not utilized within three months?
The grant amount must be refunded back to the Child Development Project Officer immediately.