State Marriage Assistance Scheme (SMAS):- On the directions of the Hon’ble High Court in the case of Mohd Amin Beigh Vs State and others. The State Marriage Assistance Scheme was launched by the Government in all the districts of Jammu Division. Under this Scheme, all the marriageable identified poor girls will receive one time financial assistance of Rs.25000/- and cost of 5 gms Gold for marriage purpose. State Marriage Assistance Scheme for poor Girls is a Social Assistance Scheme meant for those un-married identified girls of the State living below the poverty line who may not find themselves in a position to marry due to financial constraint.
Subscribe our Channel
Benefits
The eligible marriageable and identified poor girl will receive one time financial assistance of Rs. 25,000/- only and a cost of 5 gms Gold from the Competent authority. The assistance shall be sanctioned by the District Level Committee headed by District Dev. Commissioner as Chairman and District Social Welfare Officer Member Secretary besides, Programme officer ICDS of concerned District and any Gazetted lady Officer of the District as Members of the said committee.
Eligibility Criteria
The prospective beneficiary girl;-
- Should be identified poor girls in the survey list available with the
concerned DDCs/DSWOs. - Should be above 18 years of age.
- Should be not have availed the benefit for the same purpose under any
other State/Centrally sponsored Scheme and ; - Can avail benefit only once under the scheme.
Application Process
District Social Welfare Officer concerned.
- Submission:
- The beneficiary girl must apply online to the concerned District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) at least one month before her marriage.
- Verification:
- The DSWO verifies the applicant’s marital status, age, and ensures she hasn’t received similar benefits under other schemes.
- Recommendation:
- The DSWO submits the case along with the necessary documents and recommendations to the Deputy Commissioner (DC).
- Approval:
- The DC verifies the genuineness of the case and sanctions the financial assistance.
- Disbursement:
- The approved amount is released via DBT, and DC offices submit sanction lists to the Social Welfare Department on a fortnightly basis.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Proof of Marriage
- Proof of Age
- AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) or PHH (Priority Households) Ration Card
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is the benefit provided as a one-time assistance or monthly?
- It is provided as a one-time assistance of ₹50,000/-.
- What is the mode of payment?
- The financial assistance is transferred directly into the beneficiary’s bank account via DBT.
- Can applications be submitted offline?
- No; both the application and transfer of assistance are done online.
- Is the scheme implemented in all districts of Jammu & Kashmir?
- Yes, it is operational in all districts.
- Who verifies the marital status and age of the beneficiary?
- The District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) is responsible for verification.
- Am I eligible if I have already received benefits under the Ladli Beti Scheme?
- No; beneficiaries of the Ladli Beti Scheme are not eligible for this scheme.
- What is the maximum amount of financial assistance available?
- The maximum assistance is ₹50,000/-.
Sources & References
Benefits
- Assistance Amount:
- ₹50,000/- as a one-time financial assistance.
- Disbursement Mode:
- Funds are transferred directly via DBT.
Eligibility Criteria
- Gender & Age:
- The applicant must be a female and of marriageable age (18 years or above).
- Socio-Economic Criteria:
- Must belong to a family holding an AAY or PHH ration card.
- Prior Benefits:
- The beneficiary must not have availed similar financial assistance under any other UT or centrally sponsored scheme (e.g., Ladli Beti Scheme).
- Application Timing:
- Application must be submitted at least one month before the marriage.
- Educational Qualification:
- Minimum qualification is 8th Pass or equivalent.
- For school dropouts, restructured guidelines apply from FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25, after which proof of passing 8th grade is required from 01-04-2025 onwards.
Application Process
Online Process Only:
- Submission:
- The beneficiary girl must apply online to the concerned District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) at least one month before her marriage.
- Verification:
- The DSWO verifies the applicant’s marital status, age, and ensures she hasn’t received similar benefits under other schemes.
- Recommendation:
- The DSWO submits the case along with the necessary documents and recommendations to the Deputy Commissioner (DC).
- Approval:
- The DC verifies the genuineness of the case and sanctions the financial assistance.
- Disbursement:
- The approved amount is released via DBT, and DC offices submit sanction lists to the Social Welfare Department on a fortnightly basis.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Proof of Marriage
- Proof of Age
- AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) or PHH (Priority Households) Ration Card
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is the benefit provided as a one-time assistance or monthly?
- It is provided as a one-time assistance of ₹50,000/-.
- What is the mode of payment?
- The financial assistance is transferred directly into the beneficiary’s bank account via DBT.
- Can applications be submitted offline?
- No; both the application and transfer of assistance are done online.
- Is the scheme implemented in all districts of Jammu & Kashmir?
- Yes, it is operational in all districts.
- Who verifies the marital status and age of the beneficiary?
- The District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) is responsible for verification.
- Am I eligible if I have already received benefits under the Ladli Beti Scheme?
- No; beneficiaries of the Ladli Beti Scheme are not eligible for this scheme.
- What is the maximum amount of financial assistance available?
- The maximum assistance is ₹50,000/-.