Marriage ‘shagun’ up, girls to get Rs 51K now

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has announced a hike from Rs 31,000 to Rs 51,000 in the “shagun” amount for the marriage of daughters of construction workers in the state from April 1, 2021, besides approving Rs 1,500 in financial aid to such workers or their family members who test positive for Covid.

He approved modification in the existing conditions to make valid marriage certificates issued by any religious body — gurdwara, temple and church — acceptable for the purpose.

While 50 per cent payment can be availed in advance, the rest will be provided on submission of the marriage certificate by the competent authority under the revised rules. Daughters of those registered with the BOCW Welfare Board are eligible under the scheme.

In another major decision, the CM announced compensation worth Rs 2 lakh in case of death of a worker in an accident while being involved in any construction activity even if he/she is not registered with the construction board, provided he/she is otherwise eligible to be registered as a construction worker.

According to an official spokesperson, Capt Amarinder also announced extension in time frame from the existing six months to one year for submission of application for benefits under various welfare schemes as many workers could not apply in time due to the Covid situation.

Further, the construction workers have been allowed to prefer an appeal to the Secretary Board within a period of 120 days instead of 90 days in case their pension application is rejected by the screening committee.

Under the Balri (Female Child) Birth Gift scheme, the Board has also decided to enhance the time limit for submission of application from six months to one year from the date of the delivery of the girl child of the beneficiary.

Marriage certificates by any religious body acceptable now
50% payment can be availed in advance, the rest on submission of marriage certificate
Rs 1,500 for construction workers, family members testing Covid+ve
Rs 2 lakh compensation if a worker dies while being involved in any construction activity even if he/she is not registered with the construction board
Workers get one year instead of six months to submit applications for benefits under various schemes
They can now submit any two of the four government documents — Aadhaar, PAN, voter and ration cards — to avail benefits of schemes