I appeal to people to apply at least 15 days before marriage for issuing cheque under Kalyana Lakshmi scheme: Kamalakar

Telangana Government’s flagship programme Kalyana Lakshmi was aiding in checking child marriages, besides extending financial assistance to families, said BC Welfare Minister G Kamalakar. 

According to National Family Health Survey (NFHS) – 5 survey, the percentage of women getting married before 18 years has come down from 26.2 per cent to 23.5 per cent, he said.

He was replying to TRS MLA Ajmeera Rekha during question hour in the Assembly here on Thursday. On the delay in issue of cheques, the Minister said most people were applying for assistance after three to four months of marriage. 

“I appeal to people to apply at least 15 days before the marriage, so that the cheque can be handed over on the marriage day,” said Kamalakar. The financial assistance is extended to two daughters in a family.

He said there was no restriction for issuing cheques in case



of inter caste or love marriages. Even if the bridegroom belonged to other caste and bride hails from BC, cheque would be issued, the Minister clarified while responding to TRS MLA Alla Venkateshwar Reddy. 

When AIMIM MLA Jaffer Hussain pointed out that Kalyana Lakshmi applications were pending for many days, the Minister said there was no dearth of funds.

So far, Rs.8673.67 crore was spent towards Kalyana Lakshmi and 10,26,396 families or individuals benefited through the programme, he said.

Revenue Divisional Officers were maintaining surplus amount for issuing cheques. Pending was mainly due to delay in applying the applications as many were filing after three to four months. This was eventually delaying the application processing, the Minister explained, adding that over 12,000 applications were processed during the last 10 days.