The Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Puducherry, has launched the Grant of Financial Assistance for Performance of Marriage of Poor Brides Living Below Poverty Line scheme. This initiative aims to provide financial support to brides from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to assist with their marriage expenses. The assistance is granted for the first marriage of the bride and is implemented through the Department of Women and Child Development.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance: ₹25,000 for marriage expenses.
Eligibility Criteria
- Income Limit: The annual income of the applicant’s family should not exceed ₹75,000.
- Residency: The parents or guardian of the bride must be Indian citizens and natives of the Union Territory of Puducherry, either by birth or by continuous residence of 5 years or more.
- Marital Status: Assistance is payable only for the first marriage of the bride.
- Legal Compliance: The marriage should be performed in accordance with the law in force on the date of marriage.
- Family Limit: Assistance is given for the performance of the marriage of one daughter only in a family.
- Age Requirement: The bride should have attained the age of 18 years, and the bridegroom 21 years, on the date of marriage.
Application Process
Offline Application
-
Collect the Application Form:
- Visit the Office/Sub-Office of the Department of Women and Child Development during office hours to request the prescribed application form.
- Alternatively, download the application form from the official website of the Department of Women and Child Development, Puducherry.
-
Fill Out the Application Form:
- Complete all mandatory fields, paste a passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach self-attested copies of all mandatory documents.
-
Submit the Application Form:
- Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the required documents to the Deputy Director (Women Development) or the Child Development Project Officer (depending on the location), at least 30 days before the proposed marriage date.
-
Obtain Acknowledgment:
- Request a receipt or acknowledgment from the concerned authority to whom the application has been submitted. Ensure that the receipt contains essential details such as the date and time of submission and a unique identification number (if applicable).
Documents Required
- Identity Proof:
- Aadhaar Card of the Bride.
- Aadhaar Card of the Father.
- Aadhaar Card of the Mother.
- Certificates:
- Anganwadi Certificate (as per prescribed format).
- Birth Certificate or Transfer Certificate of the Bride.
- Birth Certificate or Transfer Certificate of the Bridegroom.
- Income Certificate (from the Revenue Department) (as per prescribed format).
- Residence Certificate (from the Revenue Department) (as per prescribed format).
- Other Documents:
- Marriage Invitation.
- Marriage Photograph.
- Marriage Registration Certificate (obtained from the Registration Department/Municipality/Commune Panchayat).
- Ration Card.
- Voter ID Card of the Bride.
- Voter ID Card of the Father.
- Voter ID Card of the Mother.
- Xerox Copy of the first page of the bank passbook of the Applicant.
- Declaration (as per prescribed format).
- Additional Forms:
- Certificate by MLA or Gazetted Officer.
- Form IV (as per prescribed format).
- Gazetted Form.
- Undertaking Form (as per prescribed format).
Note: In the absence of an Aadhaar Number, the applicant is required to provide his/her Aadhaar Enrolment ID along with ANY ONE of the following documents:
- Bank or Post Office Passbook with Photo.
- Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card.
- Passport.
- Ration Card.
- Voter Identity Card.
- MGNREGA Card.
- Kisan Photo Passbook.
- Driving License issued by the Licensing Authority under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
- Certificate of identity having a photo of such person issued by a Gazetted Officer or a Tehsildar on an official letterhead.
- Any other document as specified by the Department.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: How does the scheme address the financial needs of poor brides living below the poverty line for their marriage expenses?
A: The scheme provides a financial assistance of ₹25,000 to eligible brides to help cover their marriage expenses. - Q: Is the financial assistance amount the same for every eligible beneficiary, or does it vary based on specific criteria?
A: The financial assistance amount is fixed at ₹25,000 for every eligible beneficiary. - Q: What is the significance of the Citizen’s Charter, and where can interested applicants find it for reference?
A: The Citizen’s Charter outlines the rights and responsibilities of the citizens regarding the scheme. Interested applicants can refer to it on the official website of the Department of Women and Child Development, Puducherry. - Q: How is the marriage date related to the application submission process for offline applicants?
A: Applicants are required to submit the application form at least 30 days before the proposed marriage date to ensure timely processing. - Q: Can you specify the official website for the e-District Portal of the Government of Puducherry for online applications?
A: Applicants can visit the official website of the Department of Women and Child Development, Puducherry, for information regarding online applications. - Q: How does the scheme define the eligibility regarding the age of the bride and groom at the time of marriage?
A: The bride must be at least 18 years old, and the bridegroom must be at least 21 years old on the date of marriage. - Q: Can you clarify the conditions under which financial assistance is granted for the first marriage of the bride?
A: Financial assistance is granted only for the first marriage of the bride, and it is applicable to only one daughter in a family. - Q: What is the significance of the Aadhaar Number in the list of required documents, and is there an alternative if the applicant doesn’t possess one?
A: The Aadhaar Number serves as a primary identity