Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Feb 20: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday informed the House that 44,301 beneficiaries have been covered under the Marriage Assistance Scheme during the current financial year 2025-26 (as on date), with Rs 234 crore disbursed so far, while under the Ladli Beti Scheme, 1,98,024 cumulative beneficiaries have been sanctioned, with Rs 300 crore disbursed.
Replying to a question tabled by MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para regarding financial assistance under the Marriage Assistance Scheme and Ladli Beti Scheme, the Minister for the Social Welfare Department, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), provided district-wise details of beneficiaries and funds disbursed over the last three years.
As per the reply, 26,000 beneficiaries were covered under the Marriage Assistance Scheme in 2023-24 with Rs 130 crore disbursed, while a similar number of 26,000 beneficiaries received assistance in 2024-25 with Rs 130 crore disbursed.
“For 2025-26 (as on date), 44,301 beneficiaries have been covered and Rs 234 crore disbursed. The government further stated that the amount includes bills amounting to Rs 70.08 crore pending in the treasury for payment.”
The district-wise figures revealed by government said, Srinagar 2,504 beneficiaries, Anantnag 4,308, Budgam 4,255, Baramulla 3,855, Kupwara 3,426, and Kathua 2,449 are among the districts with the highest number of beneficiaries during the current financial year.
Meanwhile, under the Ladli Beti Scheme, the government said that 1,41,085 beneficiaries were sanctioned in 2023-24 with Rs 213.75 crore disbursed, while 1,76,126 beneficiaries were sanctioned in 2024-25 with Rs 150 crore disbursed.
“For 2025-26 (as on date), 1,98,024 cumulative beneficiaries have been sanctioned under the scheme with Rs 300 crore disbursed. The reply stated that this includes bills amounting to Rs 200 crore pending in the treasury for payment into the pool account maintained by J&K Bank for further disbursement to sanctioned beneficiaries.—(KNO)
