Launched by the Social Welfare Department of Jammu & Kashmir, this scheme provides one-time financial assistance to poor, marriageable girls from AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) or PHH (Priority Households) families. The objective is to empower these girls by supporting them with funds before marriage. The assistance is directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Benefits
- Assistance Amount:
- ₹50,000/- as a one-time financial assistance.
- Disbursement Mode:
- Funds are transferred directly via DBT.
Eligibility Criteria
- Gender & Age:
- The applicant must be a female and of marriageable age (18 years or above).
- Socio-Economic Criteria:
- Must belong to a family holding an AAY or PHH ration card.
- Prior Benefits:
- The beneficiary must not have availed similar financial assistance under any other UT or centrally sponsored scheme (e.g., Ladli Beti Scheme).
- Application Timing:
- Application must be submitted at least one month before the marriage.
- Educational Qualification:
- Minimum qualification is 8th Pass or equivalent.
- For school dropouts, restructured guidelines apply from FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25, after which proof of passing 8th grade is required from 01-04-2025 onwards.
Application Process
Online Process Only:
- Submission:
- The beneficiary girl must apply online to the concerned District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) at least one month before her marriage.
- Verification:
- The DSWO verifies the applicant’s marital status, age, and ensures she hasn’t received similar benefits under other schemes.
- Recommendation:
- The DSWO submits the case along with the necessary documents and recommendations to the Deputy Commissioner (DC).
- Approval:
- The DC verifies the genuineness of the case and sanctions the financial assistance.
- Disbursement:
- The approved amount is released via DBT, and DC offices submit sanction lists to the Social Welfare Department on a fortnightly basis.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Proof of Marriage
- Proof of Age
- AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) or PHH (Priority Households) Ration Card
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is the benefit provided as a one-time assistance or monthly?
- It is provided as a one-time assistance of ₹50,000/-.
- What is the mode of payment?
- The financial assistance is transferred directly into the beneficiary’s bank account via DBT.
- Can applications be submitted offline?
- No; both the application and transfer of assistance are done online.
- Is the scheme implemented in all districts of Jammu & Kashmir?
- Yes, it is operational in all districts.
- Who verifies the marital status and age of the beneficiary?
- The District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) is responsible for verification.
- Am I eligible if I have already received benefits under the Ladli Beti Scheme?
- No; beneficiaries of the Ladli Beti Scheme are not eligible for this scheme.
- What is the maximum amount of financial assistance available?
- The maximum assistance is ₹50,000/-.