Assam Govt to Gift 10 gm of Gold to Every 10th Pass Bride: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati, November 20, 2019:

The Government of Assam plans to spend Rs 750 crores per year under its Arundhati scheme, through which all newlywed brides who have passed their 10th exams are to be given one tola (10 grams, approx) of gold.

Announcing this on Wednesday at a press conference here, Assam Finance Minister, who had unveiled the scheme, informed that this move of the Government will empower the womenfolk of the state and enable to fulfill their aspirations.

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Biswa Sarma further stated that this scheme "shall go a long way towards girls empowerment as per the vision of the Prime Minister". The Assam Cabinet cleared Arundhati scheme under which bride will get Re 30,000 on her registration of marriage under Special Marriage Act 1954, he stated. However, it will only be applicable for girls whose parents earn less than Rs 5 lakh.

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The Minister further stated that the compulsory registration of marriage, under the scheme, will ensure that a divorce or a second marriage can take place only by following due process of law and arbitrary divorces shall cease.

Stating this this new scheme will promote education among women, he stated that "the program shall pave foundation for a brighter next generation of women of Assam." He further stated that the scheme will help eradicate the menace of child marriage.

The Finance Minister also informed that this scheme will likely be implemented by January, 2020.

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