NT Reporter
Panaji
Married couples where either one or both partners are persons with disabilities will now get a one-time financial support of up to Rs 1 lakh. The scheme, Divyang Bandhan Yojana, was notified on Thursday.
As per the notification, the amount will be paid to the partner with disabilities. In cases where both partners are persons with disabilities, the amount will be jointly paid. To qualify, at least one partner must have a minimum of 40% disability.
The combined annual income of the couple must not exceed Rs 8 lakh, applicants must be residents of Goa for at least 15 years, and the marriage must either be registered or should have taken place in the state. The application must be made within three years from the date of marriage.
Applications must be submitted through the respective Block Development Officer. Required documents include a marriage certificate, UDID card or enrolment slip, proof of cohabitation for at least two years, a joint declaration, a pre-receipt of Rs 1 lakh countersigned by the Block Development Officer, and a bank passbook copy.
The scheme includes provisions for cancellation if false information is provided, and the amount will be recovered as arrears of land revenue.
Those who have already received the benefit under this scheme will not be eligible again if they enter into another marriage involving a person with disabilities after dissolving the first marriage.
