Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam, or Kalyana Lakshmi Scheme, is one of the flagship programs initiated by the Government of Telangana to support financially weaker sections of families, especially Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and minority communities. It has been designed to relieve families from the financial burden of marriages, thus ensuring women are married with dignity without undue hardships on their families. Through this initiative, Telangana aims to empower women, promote literacy, and prevent early marriages. In this article, we’ll explore the details of the Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam, its benefits, application process, eligibility criteria, and much more.
What is the Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam?
The Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam is an integrated welfare initiative under the Telangana government which assists brides coming from economically weaker sections to enable them in arranging their marriage without straining their wallets. These beneficiaries include SC, ST, BC, and the minorities. In this plan, money directly reaches the mother of the bride. Money for different items to be brought or expenses towards the ritual ceremonies can thus be arranged.
The main aim of the scheme is to empower the disadvantaged families by relieving them of the economic burden associated with the expense of marriage. The scheme motivates the families to delay early marriages, offers the chance to educate young girls, and helps in gender equality. It also contributes to increased literacy rates as families would feel more comfortable allowing their daughters to complete their education before marrying them.
Objectives of the Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam
The objectives that led to the launch of the Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam are as follows:
- Financial Support: This is a financial support given to economically weaker sections so that they do not suffer financially during the event of weddings.
- Preventing Early Marriages: It aims to discourage early marriages by helping the family invest in their daughters’ education and personal development.
- Promoting Gender Equality: The scheme promotes gender equality as direct monetary support to women. In fact, this kind of system motivates women to be in control of their life and choices.
- Education Enhancement: Another key aim is to increase literacy rates for girls to prevent early marriages and strengthen the future by education.
Important Features of Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam
The Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam is one of the most significant welfare measures for women and families. The following are the scheme’s primary characteristics:
- Direct Financial Assistance: The financial support is directly transferred to the bride’s mother’s bank account, ensuring it is utilized effectively for the marriage-related expenses.
- Targeted Beneficiaries: The scheme is specifically targeted at brides from SC, ST, BC, and minority communities in Telangana.
- Increasing Financial Assistance Over Time: The amount of financial assistance has been increased by the government over the years. This again shows that the government takes care of families and that they are committed to such empowerment.
- Online and Offline Application: The scheme has both online and offline facility for application, so family from all walks of life can apply.
The scheme is comprised of two components, because it caters to the needs of different communities.
Kalyana Lakshmi: For Hindu brides from SC, ST, and BC communities.
Shaadi Mubarak: For Muslim brides.
Financial Support Under the Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam
In the beginning, Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam offered a Rs. 51,000 grant. However, this amount has increased due to the increase in costs related to weddings and high demand for the scheme. Following is a description of financial help received over the years:
- 2014: Under this scheme, initially, it used to provide Rs. 51,000 to the brides.
- 2017: The amount was increased to Rs. 75,116 in order to support the rising expenditures of marriage.
- 2018: The help was augmented to Rs. 1,00,116 with the motive to make easier the burden of financial stress from the weddings.
This increased amount of monetary aid is clearly a testament to the fact that the government wants to ease the stress of spending money on a wedding.
Elements of Kalyana Lakshmi Scheme
The Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam is categorized into two types for catering to the requirements of different communities:
1. Kalyana Lakshmi for Hindu Brides
This section of the scheme focuses on Hindu brides from SC, ST, BC, and other minority communities. The financial aid is provided to support these families in meeting the wedding expenses. This is a part of a larger plan for eradicating caste-based inequalities and providing support to those who are in need.
2. Shaadi Mubarak for Muslim Brides
The Shaadi Mubarak scheme is for helping Muslim brides in a similar manner. Its objective is the same that is to reduce the marriage burden and ensure that daughters from economically weaker sections experience the dignity of a properly organized wedding.
Application procedure for Kalyana Lakshmi Scheme
The process of applying for Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam is simple and straightforward as the Telangana Government has provided the applicants an option to apply both offline and online. Here follows a step-by-step guideline to apply for the scheme:
Online Application Process
- Step 1: Go to Telangana Kalyana Lakshmi, the official website regarding the scheme.
- Step 2: On the landing page, look for Kalyana Lakshmi and click on it.
- Step 3: Click at the ‘Registration‘ option to begin your application.
- Step 4: Fill in the required details such as personal information, caste, income, and bank account information.
- Step 5: Upload necessary documents such as the Aadhaar card, caste certificate, and marriage card.
- Step 6: Verify the details, complete the captcha, and submit the application.
Offline Application Process
For those who prefer offline methods or do not have internet access, the application can also be submitted in person:
- Step 1: Apply in person to your nearby Panchayat or the concerned office.
- Step 2: Take the application form
- Step 3: Complete all the necessary details along with submitting it along with documents
- Step 4: Process with and awaits an approval date
Eligibility Conditions for the Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam
A bride shall be considered eligible for Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam only if she possesses all the following conditions.
- Residency: She must be a resident of Telangana by possessing any residential type of card.
- Age: When getting married, you have to be at least eighteen.
- Income: The Caste wise family income up to which is below shall be taken as eligibility according to place of residence: urban/rural.
- Caste: The bride belongs to one or SC/ ST BC community;
- Her income criteria:
| Community | Income Criteria |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | Rs.2, 00,000 |
| BC/ EBC | Urban areas – Rs.2, 00,000 |
| Rural areas – Rs. 1, 50,000 | |
| Shaadi Mubarak | Rs 2,00,000 |
Documents Required for Kalyana Lakshmi Scheme
Necessary Documents:
In regard to the application for the Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam, the following set of documents is required for this process:
- Aadhaar Card
- Birth Certificate of the Bride
- Caste Certificate
- Income Certificate
- Bank Account Details
- Wedding Card (optional)
- Marriage Confirmation Certificate
- Age Proof Certificate
How to Check Your Application’s Status
After submitting an application, you can look for the status online of your application. Here’s how to do it:
- Step 1: Visit the website’s home page and click on ‘Print/Status‘.
- Step 2: Enter Aadhaar number and mobile number.
- Step 3: Your application status will appear on the screen, and you can also print it for reference.
How to Edit or Update Your Application
If you have made any mistakes or need to update your application, you can edit it online:
- Step 1: After visiting the official website, choose “Kalyana Lakshmi Shaadi Mubarak.”
- Step 2: Choose ‘Edit/Upload’ from the menu.
- Step 3: Enter your marriage certificate number and contact details.
- Step 4: Make all the changes and submit the updated application.
FAQ About the Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam
1Q. What is Kalyana Lakshmi’s 2023 payment amount?
The financial assistance under the scheme in 2023 is Rs. 1,00,116, which can be used to pay for wedding costs.
2Q. How to apply for the Kalyana Lakshmi Scheme?
You can submit an application for the scheme through either online procedure on the official website or offline procedure through local Panchayat offices.
3Q. Do I stand eligible to apply after being married for three years?
The scheme has been designed for those applicants who are applying before their marriage, so applications filed after the wedding have never been accepted.
4Q. What documents do I require while making the application under this scheme?
Aadhaar card, caste certificate, income certificate, and marriage card are few essential documents.
Conclusion
The Kalyana Lakshmi Pathakam is an important scheme that empowers women in Telangana. Since the scheme provides financial aid for weddings, it has the benefit of supporting families at the time of crisis, promotes education, delays early marriages, and encourages gender equality. The Telangana government’s dedication to raising the standard of living for women and other underprivileged groups in the state is demonstrated by this program.