Sabika Farooq
Marriage is one of the important events in life, generally associated with happiness and celebration. However, for families with fewer financial resources, the expenses to get married are too much. To alleviate this problem, the government of India, including Jammu and Kashmir, has instituted some marriage assistance programs to help needy families ensure their daughters can marry with dignity. These programs are intended to ease the financial burden on the community.
In Jammu and Kashmir, SMAS is an extremely important program started by the Department of Social Welfare. This scheme generates money for families which they cannot afford to pay to provide a wedding for their daughters. The scheme attracts mostly poor families who would seek once-in-a-lifetime support of ₹50,000 if they fit within the scheme. In addition, the government provides 5 grams of gold so that even the minimum wedding ceremonies can be conducted in a way that the events become decent. Programs such as Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah Yojana and Shaadi Shagun, initiated at the national level, provide the same facilities to families. The demands have to be met for availing of these schemes.
The family’s annual income must not exceed a poverty line or meet limits. The bride-to-be should not be married already at the time of application and should be at least 18 years of age. Applications require income certificates, Aadhaar cards, proof of residency in the place, and sometimes a wedding invitation or confirmation document about the marriage. Applicants can apply either through special websites of the state government portals or personally present at local social welfare offices. Though the process is easy and simple, it must be implemented according to the rule. The money assistance is transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account directly after verification. These programs benefit the less acknowledged families. They provide financial assistance and enable families to conduct wedding ceremonies without debt burdens. Easing the economic pressure, they ensure that their daughters are married with respect and dignity. These programs have also eradicated child marriages by fixing a minimum statutory age for marriage. On the other hand, such programs have ended the shame of living in poverty while conducting wedding ceremonies and supported social equality. Despite the benefits reaped, marriage assistance programs have the following challenges.
Many families, particularly in the remote parts of Jammu and Kashmir, are ignorant of such programs due to lack of outreach. Most people are discouraged by bureaucratic obstacles such as long paperwork and slow checks. Mostly, the financial assistance usually given is insufficient for the actual costs of the wedding, particularly in societies that expect huge celebrations. Also, cultural resistance and patriarchal norms can weaken the effectiveness of how well these schemes work, reducing their reach and effect. To solve these issues, governments should work on creating awareness of marriage assistance programs, especially in rural and less served areas. By working together with local NGOs, community leaders, and panchayats, more people can be reached and encouraged to apply. The procedure for applying can be simplified, paperwork reduced, and single-window clearance systems set up to reduce bureaucratic delays. Additionally, the amounts of financial aid must be regularly checked and changed to reflect the increasing costs of weddings and inflation.
The other step is to make weddings easier and cheaper. Governments and community leaders can make simple ceremonies that ease the pressure for costly spending. Marriages assistance programs combined with skills training and financial management education for women will bring long-term benefits that help them after the financial aid provided. A good complaint system will also enhance openness and accountability, ensuring money reaches the right people without delays. These efforts are especially important in Jammu and Kashmir, where cultural rules often require big wedding ceremonies and large meals.Simple traditions of marriage can be arranged at local events to help with cultural change and reduce money pressure on the families.
Improving teamwork between district administrations and village committees can make it easier to carry out marriage assistance programs. Special help desks in distant places like Baramulla, Kupwara, and Anantnag can be able to bridge the accessibility gap and make the programs more inclusive. Marriage assistance programs reveal the concern of the government about the social welfare, particularly that of women and people who are low in income. These important support services assist the needy family, but with so much awareness needed in access, as well as sufficient financial assistance to truly benefit from these benefits. Such marriage assistance programs can make marriages simpler, improving on the present welfare programs and ensuring that each marriage is celebrated with respect and joy.
