Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has introduced stricter conditions in marriage incentive scheme for persons with disabilities (PwD), including a mandatory declaration that no dowry was exchanged and revised timelines for fund withdrawals.
The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) notified the revised guidelines for the “Award of Incentive for Marriage between Persons with Benchmark Disabilities and Other Person” on Saturday.
Under the updated rules, couples seeking the Rs 2.5 lakh incentive must now submit a signed “dowry-free marriage declaration” as one of the eight mandatory documents. This formal affirmation strengthens the existing eligibility criterion that the marriage be dowry-free, ensuring public funds support socially progressive unions. The scheme, which provides financial assistance irrespective of the disability category when at least one spouse has a disability, seeks to promote mainstreaming and social inclusion of such persons.
The incentive, enhanced from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh in 2021, will be disbursed to a joint bank account and remain locked in for three years. Beneficiaries can withdraw only 10% after the first year of marriage, another 10% after the second year, and the remaining 80% after three years. This extends the initial withdrawal period from the previous six months, aiming to prevent misuse and confirm the marriage’s stability.
Additional safeguards address potential fraud and marital breakdowns. False declarations or attempts to avail the benefit more than once could result in penalties under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, including up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, or both. The government will also recover the disbursed amount with 12% interest. If the marriage ends in divorce or dissolution within five years of the first instalment, the undrawn portion will be cancelled and any withdrawn funds recovered with interest.
Eligibility requires the spouse with the disability to be a resident of Odisha, the marriage to be dowry-free, and the benefit to be claimed only once in a lifetime.
Officials emphasise that these measures ensure genuine beneficiaries receive support while reinforcing the state’s commitment against dowry and misuse of public resources.
