Award Of Incentive For Marriage Between Persons With Benchmark Disabilities & Other Person

Description
" Award of Incentive for Marriage between Persons with Benchmark Disabilities & Other Person" is a scheme introduced in 2018 by the Department of Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Odisha. The scheme& 39;s goal is to help people with disabilities live normal and dignified lives and to encourage others to marry people with disabilities. The government introduced this scheme to facilitate and fulfill mandates under Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.

Exclusions
• Applicants who fraudulently avail or attempt even after having availed once benefits of the scheme shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to Rs. 1,00,000/- or with both as prescribed under section 91 of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. In such cases, the Collector & District Magistrate, who is the sanctioning authority, shall initiate action accordingly, besides recovery of disbursed amount with 12% interest.
• In the event of divorce or dissolution of the marriage taking place within the time period 3 (three) years to 5 (five) years calculated from the date of receipt of the first installment of the incentive (i.e. 10% of the incentive), the spouse (either husband or wife) without disability, shall be liable to refund 50% of total amount as arrear of land revenue within one year of the occurrence failing which the principal amount with annual interest of 6.5% will be charged from him/her.

Definitions
Definition 1
(Source: https://ssepd.odisha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-05/1613-compressed.pdf.8a9e70c914a93fec1e53659996d879ae.pdf)

Benefits
• The amount of incentive is fixed at ₹ 2,50,000/- and shall be disbursed to the couple through IFMS.
• The amount of incentive shall be locked in for 3 years.
• Withdrawal is allowed in three phases with the withdrawal of 10% of the funds after 6 months, the next 10% after one year, and the balance of 80% of the funds after the successful completion of 3 years of the marriage.
• The couple can withdraw under the joint signature.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The bridegroom and the bride must have completed 21 years and 18 years of age respectively at the time of the marriage.
2. Both of the spouses should be residents of Odisha State.
3. The cash incentive award can be given to either of the spouses with a benchmark disability if another person marries a Person with a Benchmark Disability (Disability Percentage of 40% or above).
4. The said marriage should be dowry free.
5. Neither of the spouses should have availed of the incentive award under this scheme earlier.
6. The beneficiary qualifying for the incentive of both the Departments i.e. ST & SC Development, Minorities, and Backward Class Welfare Department, and the Department of SSEPD will be left to opt to avail the benefit under one Department to avoid duplication.

Required Documents
• Disability Certificate (issued by District Medical Board as notified by the Government)
• Marriage Registration Certificate (issued by the competent registration authority of marriages)
• Self-attested Post Card Size Joint Photograph of the couple.
• Residential certificate issued by the Tahsildar or any other authentic Proof of residence.
• Aadhaar linked joint bank account of husband & wife along with Bank authorization for e-transfer of the fund through IFMS.
• In case an applicant without Aadhaar seeks marriage incentive, the person will have to submit proof of his/her application for Aadhaar.
• Aadhaar seeding in such cases will be expedited at the Department level and thereafter incentive requests will be considered for sanction.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What Is The "Award Of Incentive For Marriage Between Persons With Benchmark Disabilities And Other Person" Scheme?
A: It is a scheme launched by the SSEPD department to provide financial incentives to persons with benchmark disabilities who get married to non-disabled persons.

Q: Who Is Eligible For This Scheme?
A: Persons with benchmark disabilities and their spouses who are not disabled can apply for this scheme. The disability should be certified by a competent medical authority.

Q: What Are Benchmark Disabilities?
A: Benchmark disabilities are those disabilities that are recognized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and include blindness, low vision, hearing impairment, locomotor disability, intellectual disability, mental illness, and multiple disabilities.

Q: What Is The Amount Of Incentive Provided Under This Scheme?
A: The incentive amount is Rs. 2,50,000, which is given in installments.

Q: Is There Any Income Criteria To Be Eligible For This Scheme?
A: No, there are no income criteria to be eligible for this scheme.

Q: Is This Scheme Available To Residents Of All Districts In Odisha?
A: Yes, this scheme is available to residents of all districts in Odisha.

Q: What Are The Documents Required To Apply For This Scheme?
A: The documents required to apply for this scheme are the marriage certificate, disability certificate of the person with a disability, and the Aadhaar card of both spouses.

Q: How Long Does It Take For The Application To Be Processed?
A: The application is processed within 30 days from the date of submission of the complete application along with all the required documents.

Q: Can A Person With Benchmark Disability Marry Another Person With Benchmark Disability And Still Be Eligible For This Scheme?
A: No, this scheme is only applicable to marriages between persons with benchmark disabilities and non-disabled persons.

Q: Can A Person With A Benchmark Disability Who Is Already Receiving A Pension Apply For This Scheme?
A: Yes, a person with a benchmark disability who is already receiving a pension can apply for this scheme.

Q: Can A Person Who Is Not A Resident Of Odisha Apply For This Scheme?
A: No, this scheme is only applicable to residents of Odisha.

Q: Is There Any Limit On The Number Of Applications That Can Be Accepted Under This Scheme?
A: No, there is no limit on the number of applications that can be accepted under this scheme.