New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a courageous initiative to encourage intercaste marriage.
The government has promised to give such couples Rs 50,000 as reward.
To bring this initiative into action the government will felicitate 8 couples in Meerut a week before Valentine’s Day that is on February 8, reported indiatvnews.com.
The newly-weds will also be given a medal and certificate. While talking to TOI, Bhupendra Singh, Commissioner, Meerut zone, confirmed the policy and the schedule of first felicitations ceremony. “The ceremony will be held at the Commissioner Office. The couples will be given prize money of Rs 50,000, along with commendation certificate and a medal.”
The Commissioner added, “The scheme is applicable in the entire state and the only condition is that one side, either the groom or the bride, must belong to the schedule caste. There is no restriction of income in such marriages.”
The couples who are interested will have to go to District magistrate with marriage certificate. After the DM is convinced about the marriage, he/she will forward the names to commissioner from whose office the cheques will go out.
This evolutionary step is welcomed by social activists. While the number of honour killing in the region is high, this step will surely help to change the mindset of the people.
Additional district magistrate (City) SK Dube had the names of all the couples for the February 8 event.