The Arundhati Gold Scheme was introduced by the Government of Assam from the financial year 2019-20 to support economically weaker families in gifting gold to their daughters on the occasion of marriage. Recognizing that gold is considered both auspicious and a valuable asset, the scheme provides a financial incentive of ₹40,000/- exclusively for gold expenditure. This assistance is intended solely for enhancing the social and economic status of the bride and is transferred directly to her bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Benefits
- Financial Incentive:
- A one-time transfer of ₹40,000/- is provided as a blessing for purchasing gold ornaments.
- Usage Restriction:
- The amount must be used solely for incurring gold expenditure and cannot be diverted for any other purpose.
Eligibility Criteria
- Age & Marriage Registration:
- The bride must be at least 18 years of age, and the groom must be at least 21 years at the time of marriage registration.
- Marriage Act:
- The marriage must be registered under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
- Timeline:
- The marriage should be solemnized on or after 1st December 2019 and registered on or after 1st January 2020.
- The applicant girl must apply for the benefit on the same day she applies for marriage registration.
- Income Limit:
- The total income of the applicant girl’s parents must be below ₹5,00,000/- per annum.
- Benefit Limitation:
- The benefit is applicable only for the first marriage of the applicant girl.
- Educational Qualification:
- Both the bride and groom must have passed at least HSLC or its equivalent, except for Tea Tribe and Adivasi communities. For the latter groups, no minimum educational qualification is required for the next five years due to limited school facilities in tea gardens.
Application Process
Online Application:
- Registration:
- Apply for the Arundhati Gold Scheme on the same day as the marriage registration under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
- Form Submission:
- The applicant girl must fill out the online application form, available via the designated link on the official website.
- Print & Sign:
- After completing and submitting the online form, take a printout, sign the declaration section, and then physically submit it along with the required documents at the office of the concerned Marriage Registration Officer.
- Receipt & Communication:
- A receipt will be issued upon submission, and updates regarding acceptance or rejection will be communicated via SMS and email.
- Disbursement:
- Upon successful verification, the eligible amount will be transferred directly to the bank account provided in the application form (with IFSC code and bank account details as registered).
Documents Required
- Proof of Age:
- For non-Tea Tribe/Adivasi: HSLC/CBSE or equivalent pass certificate confirming that the bride is at least 18 and the groom is at least 21.
- For Tea Tribe/Adivasi: Birth certificate or any academic/medical certificate as proof of age.
- Marriage Certificate:
- Attested copy of the marriage certificate issued by the Marriage Officer, in the prescribed format (as per the Special Marriage (Assam) Act, 1954).
- Income Certificate:
- Issued by the Circle Officer of the area where the applicant girl resides with her parents.
- Bank Account Details:
- Bank account information or a copy of the bank passbook of the beneficiary.
- Residence Verification:
- Certificate from the Gaonburah/Mouzadar confirming that this is the first marriage of the applicant girl.
- Additional Documents:
- Any other documents as required by the guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the eligibility criteria?
- The bride must be 18 years or older, the groom 21 or older, with the marriage registered under the Special Marriage Act, and the parents’ income must be below ₹5,00,000 per annum. The scheme is for the first marriage only.
- What are the benefits?
- Eligible beneficiaries receive a one-time financial incentive of ₹40,000/- specifically for gold expenditure.
- What documents are required?
- Proof of age (HSLC certificate or equivalent for non-Tea Tribe/Adivasi; birth certificate or alternative for Tea Tribe/Adivasi), marriage certificate, income certificate, bank details, residence certificate from the Gaonburah/Mouzadar, and any additional documents as specified.
- How do I apply?
- The application is made online on the official website, and the form must be submitted on the same day as the marriage registration. A printout, signed declaration, and required documents must then be physically submitted.
- What is the minimum educational qualification?
- Both the bride and groom should have passed at least HSLC or its equivalent, except for Tea Tribe and Adivasi communities (no minimum qualification required for the next five years).
- Who manages the disbursement?
- The amount is transferred directly to the bride’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).