The Times of India             12.02.2014

Chennai Corporation distributes money, gold under marriage assistance scheme

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation on Tuesday distributed money and gold to deserving women under Tamil Nadu government's marriage assistance scheme.

Under the scheme, Rs 25,000 and four grams of gold will be given to women who completed Class 10 and Rs 50,000 and four grams of gold for those who finished graduation.

On Tuesday, 1,000 women received Rs 25,000 and four grams of gold each, while 1,950 beneficiaries got Rs 50,000 and four grams of gold each as marriage assistance.

The beneficiaries were selected after checking their educational qualifications, income proof, marriage invitations, community certificates and ration cards of bridegrooms. "We conducted inspections to confirm that they are genuine applicants" said an official.

Many poor families welcomed the scheme. "I have borrowed money from a lender at high interest rate for my daughter's marriage. But this scheme is a huge relief for several parents of girls because of the soaring gold prices and other expenses for the marriage" said a worker who came to receive assistance at Ripon Building.

Applicants from several poor families across the city came to the Ripon Building and were standing on long queues from 8am to receive the assistance. "I have been standing on the queue since 8am. But it could have been better if they distributed it at zonal offices or by bank. Now, everyone have to come to the Ripon Building and to stand on the queue. But we don't have any right to complain as it is a free scheme from the government" said a 55-year-old woman.

Corporation officials said they were distributing the assistance at the Ripon Building to prevent misuse.

The social welfare department spent more than Rs 20 crore this year for the marriage assistance scheme.