Chandranna Pelli Kaanuka: Terms And Conditions Apply

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government rolled out a new scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to brides of different communities 'Chandranna Pelli Kaanuka'. The scheme provides brides of SC/ST communities who marry a groom of a different caste with financial assistance of Rs 75,000, brides of Backward Classes (BCs) who marry outside their inter-caste marriage with Rs 50,000, and Rs 1 lakh if either the bride or the groom is physically handicapped.

However, the scheme is bound with several conditions and restrictions to be eligible for the assistance. If either the bride or the groom does not possess a white ration card, the bride would not be eligible. In a major challenge to brides from poor families, the bride is required to apply for the assistance on the Janma Bhoomi website , at least 15 days before the wedding date. Also, the bride is required to upload a photo of the wedding card at least 15 days from the wedding date.

The Chandranna Pelli Kaanuka scheme provides Rs 40,000 assistance to SC/ST community brides who marry a groom from the same community, while the brides of BC communities get Rs 30,000 assistance.

Earlier, as part of the 'Dulhan' and 'Giriputrika' schemes, assistance of Rs 50,000 was being given to the brides from Muslim minorities and Scheduled Tribes. The schemes required submission of the bride's white ration card during a three month period, a month before the wedding date and two months after.

On the other side, the link for applying to the Chandranna Pelli Kaanuka scheme on Janma Bhoomi website has been dysfunctional for the past three months. As a result, more than 5,000 brides from the Muslim community lost their right to apply for the financial assistance.

According to the officials, more than 25,000 beneficiaries from the SC and BC communities, and around 10,000 brides from the ST community lost their opportunity to claim the assistance. Among the other beneficiaries who have already applied for the scheme, around 25,000 applicants are yet to receive the financial assistance deposited in their bank accounts. Due to technical glitches and the rigid eligibility criteria, the scheme is turning out to be a failure.

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