<p>The number of applications seeking incentive under the simple marriage scheme for couples from SC/ST communities has come down by half. </p>.<p>The department of social welfare provides an incentive of Rs 50,000 for couples of the two communities who tie the knot in a simple marriage. Though 2020-21 saw many people embracing the idea of simple marriage due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown, less number of couples from these communities have come forward to avail the incentive. </p>.<p>Data available from the department shows that the applications received for the incentive under the simple marriage scheme dropped by at least 50% compared to the previous year.</p>.<p>Every year, the department received 1,500 to 2,000 applications seeking incentive under the scheme. But for 2020-21, the department has received 585 applications, of which documents of 390 applications were verified and sent for approval.</p>.<p>“As many as 129 couples have received the incentive and 35 applications got rejected due to lack of documents,” said a senior official of the department.</p>.<p>Under this scheme, the couples are allowed to submit applications within a year of getting married and their annual income should be within Rs 2 lakh.</p>.<p>According to officials from the department, a major reason for the dip in the number of applications was the lack of mass marriages organised by various organisations.</p>.<p>However, this year, the department has received 3,528 applications for the incentive under the inter-caste marriage scheme, of which 1,390 have been disposed of. </p>.<p>For the widow marriage incentive scheme, the department has received 65 applications, of which 20 applicants received the benefit.</p>
<p>The number of applications seeking incentive under the simple marriage scheme for couples from SC/ST communities has come down by half. </p>.<p>The department of social welfare provides an incentive of Rs 50,000 for couples of the two communities who tie the knot in a simple marriage. Though 2020-21 saw many people embracing the idea of simple marriage due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown, less number of couples from these communities have come forward to avail the incentive. </p>.<p>Data available from the department shows that the applications received for the incentive under the simple marriage scheme dropped by at least 50% compared to the previous year.</p>.<p>Every year, the department received 1,500 to 2,000 applications seeking incentive under the scheme. But for 2020-21, the department has received 585 applications, of which documents of 390 applications were verified and sent for approval.</p>.<p>“As many as 129 couples have received the incentive and 35 applications got rejected due to lack of documents,” said a senior official of the department.</p>.<p>Under this scheme, the couples are allowed to submit applications within a year of getting married and their annual income should be within Rs 2 lakh.</p>.<p>According to officials from the department, a major reason for the dip in the number of applications was the lack of mass marriages organised by various organisations.</p>.<p>However, this year, the department has received 3,528 applications for the incentive under the inter-caste marriage scheme, of which 1,390 have been disposed of. </p>.<p>For the widow marriage incentive scheme, the department has received 65 applications, of which 20 applicants received the benefit.</p>
