Promises Unfulfilled: Govt yet to scrap 8th pass criterion for Marriage Assistance Scheme
Srinagar, Oct 4: Despite repeated assurances, the Jammu and Kashmir government has not yet decided to remove the controversial 8th pass eligibility criterion for the Marriage Assistance Scheme, leaving many deserving poor girls in distress. The scheme, aimed at providing Rs 75,000 to girls from economically weaker families, now requires applicants to have passed at least the 8th grade—a rule introduced in 2022 under Government Order No. 49-JK(SWD)/2022.
Applicants argue that the criterion is unfair and excludes girls who have never had access to quality education.
“This condition denies many deserving girls the support they need,” said Mohd Ashraf, a local resident. “The scheme intends to help underprivileged girls, but the 8th pass requirement defeats its purpose.” Social welfare experts warn that the rule contradicts the scheme’s goal of supporting the most vulnerable, particularly in rural and remote areas where up to 30% of eligible girls could be excluded.
Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo had earlier assured that the education bar serves no purpose and a proposal to remove it was under departmental consideration. “When giving marriage assistance, education shouldn’t be a hurdle,” she had said. “We know what struggles poor families go through during the marriage season. We want to stand by them, not set obstacles.”
The scheme, initially offering Rs 50,000 in aid, was later increased to Rs 75,000 during Omar Abdullah’s tenure as Chief Minister to ease financial burdens on economically weaker families. Officials from the Chief Minister’s office noted that the enhancement aimed to provide more substantial support to qualified beneficiaries, but the 8th pass rule has made the scheme less accessible.
Despite over five months passing since the minister’s assurance, no decision has been taken, causing frustration among families planning marriages. Potential applicants, especially in far-flung regions, fear rejection due to the educational requirement. “Many girls from poor families never had proper access to education. Why should they be punished twice—for poverty and lack of schooling?” said Rubeena Jan, an applicant from Ganderbal.
The requirement has already led to applications being rejected, creating distress among families counting on the support. During the initial three-year transition period (2022-2023 to 2024-2025), financial assistance was granted irrespective of education, but that grace period has now ended.
The scheme provides one-time financial aid to girls from families holding AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) or PHH (Priority Households) ration cards, helping to ease the financial burden of marriage. Social activists argue that while promoting education is important, tying financial assistance to schooling may exclude the very population the scheme intends to help.
