Knots in Kalyana Lakshmi, Shaadi Mubarak schemes

​Mahbubnagar: Rejection of applications is more of a rule than an exception under the Kalyana Laskhmi and Shaadi Mubarak schemes in Mahbubnagar district, where not even 20 per cent of the poor beneficiaries have so far benefited during the past two years.

Out of a total of 2,100 applications received by the government under both Kalayana Laskhmi and Shaadi Mubarak schemes, only 440 applications have been sanctioned, while 173 applications have been rejected by the officials at the initial stage itself.

More than 1,480 applications are still pending at various levels at MRO and RDO offices in almost all the 26 mandals across the district.

While pouring her woes Ms Mekala Mounika, a recently married bride of Jadcherla mandal said, “I had lost my father long back and my mother is a tailor.

She brought me up with great difficulty. To get me married she had sold the one acre land which we had. In spite of that she still has Rs 2 lakh debt on her head.

I had applied for Kalayana Laskhmi scheme a year ago, but till date it is pending and I don’t know whom to approach.”

Under Kalyana Laskhmi and Shaadi Mubarak schemes for both Hindus and Muslim brides, the government will provide a financial assistance of Rs 51,000 during marriage.

However, during the past two years the district authorities have sanctioned only 272 applications under Kalyana Laskhmi and 177 applications under Shaadi Mubarak schemes.

The reasons for pending and delayed clearance of these applications are many, according to officials. If it was restrictions imposed on treasury during March, April this year, bifurcation of the districts and shortage of staff is also cited as another major reason that is affecting this scheme in the district.

“As the government has set strict norms and rules we need to move cautiously before clearing the applications.

We have to check and crosscheck applications and verify the recommendations of the Sarpanch, local certificate from MRO office and finally the local MLA approval before deciding a genuine application.

Because of this there is a delay. We are confident that all the beneficiaries will get their dues soon,” D Bhaskar District Revenue Officer informed The Hans India.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali admitted that there are over 15,000 applications for Shaadi Mubarak pending due to reorganisation of districts and frequent changes of responsibility of verification from MRO to police and back to MRO as well as impact of demonetisation which had resulted in delay in the implementation of the scheme.

He expressed hope that the pending applications would be cleared in next one or two month’s time.