The state government launched an innovative scheme in the year 2020-21. Aimed at encouraging inter-caste marriages, this initiative has proven to be a success, with thousands of couples benefiting from financial incentives.

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In November 2020, the state government took a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and unity by introducing a scheme to encourage inter-caste marriages. The core idea was to eliminate caste discrimination within the state. Under this initiative, couples where one partner belongs to the general category and the other to the scheduled caste receive a financial incentive. The central government collaborates with the state, contributing 50% of the total amount, resulting in a substantial ₹50,000 incentive for each newlywed couple. This monetary support is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

Source: Lead India

Implemented by the social welfare department, the scheme has witnessed remarkable success over the past five years. More than 19,000 couples have benefited from this initiative, leading to the distribution of over ₹100 crore by the government. In the most recent financial year alone, a substantial ₹27 crore was disbursed to inter-caste couples, showcasing the scheme’s growing impact. The numbers paint a vivid picture of its success, with the beneficiary count escalating each year: 661 couples in 2018-19, 5,242 in 2019-20, around 4,000 in 2020-21, 4,100 in 2021-22, and an impressive 5,460 in 2022-23.

Assistant Commissioner Ravindra Kadam, representing the social welfare department, shed light on the collaborative effort between the state and central governments in executing this initiative. The disbursement of ₹50,000 to every inter-caste couple is managed through the Zilla Parishad, streamlining the process and ensuring efficient implementation.

Source: Hindustan Times

To avail the benefits of this progressive scheme, one of the partners must belong to a scheduled caste, tribe, or other backward class, while the other partner must hail from the open category of the Hindu, Lingayat, Jain, or Sikh community.