Govt says Ladli Beti scheme not implemented in Baramulla, over Rs 70 cr pending for marriage assistance

Srinagar, Feb 03: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday informed the assembly that the Ladli Beti scheme is not being implemented in Baramulla district, while revealing that over Rs 70 crore for marriage assistance has been pending since October last year.

In a written reply to a question by legislator Javid Hassan Baig during the ongoing budget session, the government said the scheme is only approved for eight districts based on cabinet decisions from 2015 and 2016, citing low girl child sex ratio in those districts.

The districts are Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Anantnag, Budgam, Pulwama, Srinagar and Kishtwar.

On a query about inordinate delay in disbursement under the Marriage Assistance Scheme, the government said there was no such delay and that Rs 163.93 crore have been disbursed to 31,524 beneficiary girls in the current financial year.

However, it added that bills amounting to Rs 70.08 crore for about 12,777 beneficiaries were pending in the treasury for payment since October 2025.

To a question on providing financial support to specially abled individuals, particularly children, the government said the social welfare department is already providing monthly assistance under Integrated Social Security Scheme and National Social Assistance Programme. (KNS)