Team Herald
PANJIM: Inter-caste marriages, involving either a bride or a groom from the Schedule Caste (SC) community, are on the rise in Goa.
As per data made available by the Union Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment, in 2016-17, there were 40 such marriages, all registered under the Hindu Marriage Act 1955.
The statistics are of couples who have opted for financial assistance under the ‘Dr Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter Caste Marriage’, sponsored through central government by the Ambedkar Foundation.
A maximum benefit up to Rs 1 lakh is provided to each couple. For the last financial year an amount of Rs 20 lakh was released.
Under the scheme, launched in 2014-15, in the first year 10 couples availed of it, with the Ministry sanctioning Rs 11 lakh assistance. The number of inter-caste marriages went up to 16 in 2015-16, with the assistance disbursed being Rs 18 lakh.
Sources in the SC Development Corporation said that the number of inter-caste marriages have seen a rise over the last two-three years, as with education, youth are getting better exposure and are able to fight the caste system.
While there are parents, who stay away from attending such weddings, sources said there are a few forward thinking families who support the couples. Most of the marriages involve SC and ST or SC and General category.
“As present there are no wise restrictions on the number of beneficiaries under the scheme,” sources said, adding that either the husband or wife should belong to SC category to avail the benefit.
Also, it should be the first marriage of the couple and should be registered under the Hindu Marriage Act 1955. The couple’s annual income should not exceed Rs five lakh to avail the benefit under the scheme.
