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Incentives for marrying physically challenged

BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa government is contemplating paying a cash incentive of Rs. 50,000 to bride or groom who would come forward to marry a physically challenged person.

A detailed scheme for incentive to start a family life was prepared by Women and Child Development (WCD) Department. The WCD has moved the file to Finance Department seeking latter’s consent.

Sources in WCD Department said in any case if a physically challenged person was getting married, he or she would be entitled to get Rs. 50,000. A budgetary allocation could be made for the purpose soon, a highly placed source said.

For identification of beneficiary, Chief District Medical Officers would have to certify that person must live with 40 per cent of disability for qualifying the eligibility.

A committee comprising of secretaries of health, panchayati raj, higher education and WCD would give a nod to final list of eligible couples.

As per 2001 census reports, the total population of Orissa is 36804660, of which 1021335 are persons with disability.

There are many other surveys by National Sample Survey Organisation, office of Chief Commissioner Disability and WHO, which report higher percentage of the persons with disability in general population.

Reacting to the development, Sruti Mohapatra, a prominent activist for physically challenged population in the State, said disability was a curse for many.

“We have a patriarchal society. Generally girls with disability are left behind while their counterparts manage to get married.

The scheme will help the physically challenged girls,” Ms. Mohapatra said.

She said it would be a good gesture on behalf of the State government to extend incentive to start a family life by a physically challenged person.

Earlier, the State government announced cash incentive of Rs. 50,000 to encourage inter-caste marriage.

It was decided that higher caste youths would get a one-time cash incentive of Rs. 50,000 if they marry SC and ST girls.

The money would be kept in fixed deposits in any nationalised bank in the name of concerned girl.

Whatever the number, the harsh reality is despite State Government’s commitment to providing support services to enhance the quality of life of persons with disability in Orissa, low literacy, few jobs and widespread social stigma make disabled people among the most excluded.

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