Meerut: To encourage intercaste marraige, Uttar Pradesh (UP) government is planning to give reward of Rs 50,000 to all such couples. Apart from the reward, the newly weds couple will also be given a medal and certificate.
UP government has decided to felicitate eight such couples in Meerut on February 8.Â
When contacted, Commissioner, Meerut zone, Bhupendra Singh confirmed the policy and said that the first felicitations are on as scheduled.Â
“The ceremony will be held at the commissioner’s office. The couples will be given a prize money of Rs 50,000, along with commendation certificate and a medal.”
A senior official said, “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.”
To get the reward the interested couples will have to go to the district magistrate with the marriage certificate. From there the DM, after he is convinced about the union, will forward the names to the commissioner from whose office the cheques will go out.
Social activists immediately welcomed the announcement, with many saying in a region where honour killing was quite the norm, such incentives might go a long way in changing the mindset.Â