SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has announced an increase in financial assistance under the State Marriage Assistance Scheme (SMAS) for poor girls, enhancing the amount from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 for families holding Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cards.
An order issued by the Department of Social Welfare stated that, in partial modification of Government Order No.49-JK(SWD) of 2022 dated March 22, 2022, the financial assistance for eligible AAY-category girls of marriageable age has been increased to Rs 75,000 as a one-time benefit under the scheme.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the decision as “a step towards dignity and empowerment.” He emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting needy households, stating, “Our government stands committed to uplifting every household in need. This support will be directly credited before marriage via DBT.”
The move follows Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Budget Speech on March 7, where he outlined several pro-poor initiatives, including enhancing marriage assistance for AAY-category girls. The revised scheme will take effect from April 1, 2025, ensuring that financial aid is directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system before the marriage.
In a related welfare initiative, 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 step aims to strengthen food security for the region’s most vulnerable families and fulfils a key commitment made in Budget 2025-26.
Hailing the initiative as a significant pro-people measure, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated the government’s focus on social welfare. “We are committed to ensuring food security for our most vulnerable families. Under this initiative, all AAY households will receive additional food grains free of cost. Each beneficiary in a family with four or more members will get up to 10 kg of food grains, reinforcing our commitment to social welfare,” he stated.
Furthering his government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, the Chief Minister also flagged off the Zero-Ticket Travel Initiative—a free government bus service for women—on April 1 from the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). Speaking at the launch event, Omar Abdullah remarked, “This initiative will create an environment where women feel empowered to travel freely, without financial constraints. It marks another step towards ensuring gender equality and mobility for women across Jammu and Kashmir.”
Additionally, the government has implemented Zero Stamp Duty on property transfers through Gift Deeds within blood relations, fulfilling another electoral promise. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir issued SO 75 on March 27, 2025, under Section 9(a) of the Stamp Act, 1977, to remit stamp duty on such transfers. The term “blood relations” includes parents, siblings, children, and grandparents. This notification came into force on April 1, 2025.
