Have you every imagined that a state government will give 1 tola (10 gms) gold from free to girls? This is now a reality in Assam. Announcing the Arundhati scheme, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed, “Happy to announce that we shall give 1 Tola Gold, at about Rs 38K as on today, to brides belonging to all such communities of Assam where it is customary to provide gold at time of wedding.” According to Twitter handle of Finance Dept, Govt of Assam, Rs 300 cr has been earmarked for Arundhati Scheme in Assam. “Earmarking Rs 300 cr for Arundhati. Arundhati was wife of great sage Basistha and considered an epitome of chastity and conjugal bliss. For a father, there could be no greater joy than to see his daughter happily married with all happiness that of Arundhati,” said Assam FM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Sarma made this big announcement while presenting Assam Budget. Sarma said, “A customary ritual which has been part of Assamese society for centuries now is to gift a set of gold ornaments to one’s daughter as a blessing as she leaves her father’s home to start a new life for herself and her family.”
Check eligibility: How to avail benefit under Arundhati?
“Benefit under Arundhati can be availed upon formal registration of marriages under Special Marriage (Assam) Rules, 1954 & will reach beneficiaries right in time for the social marriage. It will be limited to only economically weaker sections, whose annnual income is below Rs 5 lakh,” Assam Finance Ministry tweeted.
Announcing the Arundhati scheme, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “I feel that it’s my solemn responsibility to stand with those fathers who cannot afford to gift a set of gold ornaments to their dearest daughters and at some point of time, have to resort to borrowings and put themselves in vicious cycle of debt.” He added, “While other parts of country may be plagued with curse of dowry, in our Assamese society, this is voluntary act of assurance from parents that no matter where she is, their support is always with her. This constitutes a part of Stree-dhana.”
