In most communities, it is a customary cultural requirement for a girl to wear “Thirumangalyam” made of gold during marriage and the parents celebrate the marriage function according to their customs and cultural backgrounds. However, parents from economically weaker sections are not able to cope with the burden of expenses towards the marriage of their daughters. In order to help such parents and to encourage them to educate their daughters till the right age, Marriage Assistance Schemes were introduced by the Government. Five Marriage Assistance Schemes are implemented to help the daughters of poor parents, orphan girls, widows who re-marry, widows daughter’s marriage and inter-caste married couples.
Eligibility Criteria for availing assistance under the five Marriage Assistance Schemes
Scheme-I
Education Qualification: The bride should have studied 10th Std pass, Bride should have studied up to V Std in case of Scheduled Tribe.
Cash Assistance: Rs25,000 paid through ECS along with 8gms Gold coin
Scheme-II
Education Qualification: Degree holders from regular colleges, Distance education / Government recognized Open University are eligible, Diploma holders should have qualified from the Institution recognized by the Directorate of Technical Education, Government of Tamil Nadu.
Cash Assistance: Rs.50,000 paid through ECS along with 8gm Gold Coin
1. MOOVALUR RAMAMIRTHAM AMMAIYAR NINAIVU HIGHER EDUCATION ASSURANCE SCHEME
From the year 2022-23, Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme has been revamped as Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme. Under this scheme, all girls who studied in Govt Schools from 6th Std till 12th Std and enrolled in Colleges for higher education through regular course are eligible to get Rs.1,000/- per month till they complete their graduation.
2. Dr. DHARMAMBAL AMMAIYAR NINAIVU WIDOW REMARRIAGE ASSISTANCE SCHEME
Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs.15,000 is given through ECS and Rs.10,000 as National Savings Certificate along with 8 gram 22 carat gold coin. There is no income ceiling and educational qualification prescribed to avail benefit under this scheme. The degree / diploma holders are given 50,000, out of which, 30,000 is given through ECS and Rs.20,000 is given as National Savings Certificate along with 8 gram 22 carat gold coin.
3. E.V.R. MANIAMMAIYAR NINAIVU MARRIAGE ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR DAUGHTERS OF POOR WIDOWS
Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs.25,000 is given along with 8 gram 22 carat gold coin are given to beneficiaries. To avail benefit under this scheme, the annual income of the family should not exceed Rs.72,000. For Graduate a sum of Rs.50,000/- along with 8gm Gold Coin are given to beneficiaries.
4. ANNAI THERASA NINAIVU MARRIAGE ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR ORPHAN GIRLS
There is no income ceiling and educational qualification prescribed to avail benefit under this scheme. Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs.25,000 is given along with 8 gram 22 carat gold coin are given to beneficiaries and for Graduate a sum of Rs.50,000/- along with 8gm Gold Coin are given to beneficiaries.
5. Dr. MUTHULAKSHMI REDDY NINAIVU INTER-CASTE MARRIAGE ASSISTANCE SCHEME
The bride should have studied 10th Std pass. Cash assistance of Rs.25,000 is given under this scheme, out of which Rs.15,000 is given through ECS and Rs.10,000 in the form of National Saving Certificate along with 8 gram 22 carat gold coin. The degree / diploma holders receive Rs.50,000 out of which Rs.30,000 is given through ECS and Rs.20,000 as National Saving Certificate along with 8 gram 22 carat gold coin. There is no income ceiling and minimum educational qualification stipulated.
Types of Inter-caste Marriage
Category – I : Either of the spouse of the Inter-caste married couples should be from Scheduled caste or Scheduled Tribe while the other spouse may be from any other Community.
Category – II : Either of the spouse should be from forward or unreserved community and the other spouse from BC/MBC.