more-in The State government has enhanced the amount paid to eligible beneficiaries under Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak scheme from ?75,116 to ?1,00,116. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who made an announcement in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, said the government had decided to enhance the amount as the scheme offers multiple benefits. Child marriages had come down significantly ever since the introduction of Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak scheme as parents are waiting till the time their girl child attains 18 years, which is mandatory under the scheme, for availing the benefit. In addition, marriages performed under the scheme get legal recognition along with the recognition of the government. This is another societal benefit that accrues through the scheme and hence, the decision. Over 3.6 lakh received benefit of ?75,116 under the scheme so far. He recalled that the government had decided to extend the benefit to poor families undergoing hardships for performing marriages of their girl children. Parents were being led to a psychological situation where they considered girl child as a burden owing to the expenses involved. There were plenty of incidents wherein parents who visualise the expenses about their girl child getting married, resorted to inhuman incidents like infanticide. “Some times, girls from poor family background remained spinsters without getting married. Families were getting into debt trap performing marriage of their girl child and are financially broken,” he said. This had made the government introduce Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak scheme on October 2, 2014 for SC/STs and minorities with ?51,000 but it was extended to all sections following requests from people. The amount was enhanced to ?75,116 last year and it was made ?1,00,116 now, he added, exuding confidence that the decision would be applauded by girls, their parents and well-wishers of society.

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