SRINAGAR, APR 03: In a move aimed at furthering social welfare in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government has increased the financial assistance under the State Marriage Assistance Scheme (SMAS) for girls from economically disadvantaged families. The marriage assistance amount has been raised from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000 for families holding Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cards.
An official order issued by the Department of Social Welfare stated that the financial assistance will now be ₹75,000 (one-time) for eligible AAY-category girls of marriageable age, as part of a revision to Government Order No.49-JK(SWD) of 2022, which was initially issued on March 22, 2022.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hailed the decision as “a step towards dignity and empowerment,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable families. “Our government stands committed to uplifting every household in need. This support will be directly credited to the beneficiary’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) before marriage,” CM Abdullah remarked.
This enhancement follows a commitment made in CM Omar Abdullah’s Budget Speech on March 7, where he had announced a series of pro-poor initiatives, including the raise in marriage assistance for AAY-category girls. The revised scheme is set to take effect from April 1, 2025.
The scheme will use the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system to ensure transparency and efficiency, with funds being directly credited to the beneficiary’s bank account before the wedding.
In a related development, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved the distribution of additional food grains free of cost to AAY households with four or more members under the Public Distribution System (PDS). This initiative is designed to bolster food security for the region’s most vulnerable families and fulfills another key promise made in the Budget for 2025-26.
CM Omar Abdullah praised the initiative as a vital pro-people decision. “We are committed to ensuring food security for our most vulnerable families. Under this initiative, all AAY households with four or more members will receive additional food grains, free of cost. Each beneficiary in these families will receive up to 10 kg of food grains, reinforcing our commitment to social welfare,” he said.
As part of his administration’s ongoing efforts to empower women, CM Omar Abdullah also launched the Zero-Ticket Travel Initiative on April 1. This initiative provides free government bus services for women across Jammu and Kashmir. At the launch event held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Center (SKICC), the Chief Minister stated, “This initiative will create an environment where women feel empowered to travel freely, without financial constraints. It marks another significant step towards gender equality and mobility for women.”
Furthering his government’s commitment to social welfare, CM Omar Abdullah also announced the implementation of Zero Stamp Duty on property transfers through Gift Deeds within blood relations. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir issued S.O. 75, dated March 27, 2025, under Section 9(a) of the Stamp Act, 1977, to waive stamp duty on such transfers. The term “Blood Relations” covers parents, siblings, children, and grandparents. This new provision took effect from April 1, 2025.
