Hyderabad, December 26 Posted on 10:45 AM IST
Applications under the Telangana government’s Shaadi Mubarak scheme have dropped by nearly 40 percent during the current financial year due to various reasons. According to Minority Welfare Department officials The Shaadi Mubarak scheme, aimed at providing financial assistance for the marriages of girls from economically weaker minority families, has traditionally received over 30,000 applications annually. However, officials confirm that only around 16,000 to 18,000 applications have been received so far this year.
The Congress-led Telangana government allocated ₹650 crore for the scheme in the current budget. Despite this, even 40 percent of the allocated amount has not been spent. Officials acknowledge that funds for approved applications are yet to be released.
Sources indicate that many eligible families have not applied because they are waiting for the government to announce its promise of providing 10 grams of gold along with financial assistance. According to scheme guidelines, applications must be filed within six months of marriage, failing which they are rejected.
Officials admit that fulfilling the gold promise has become difficult due to a sharp rise in gold prices and the state’s strained financial condition. Furthermore, several applications are reportedly being rejected during scrutiny, contributing to the overall decline.
In addition to Shaadi Mubarak, minority welfare scholarships are also facing delays. While the Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramrka reportedly released ₹350 crore, the funds were diverted towards SC, ST, and BC scholarships, leaving minority students without financial support.
Although the minority welfare budget has been increased on paper, expenditure across schemes such as Shaadi Mubarak, overseas scholarships, Honorarium for Imams and Muezzins, and Minority Finance Corporation loans remains limited. Out of multiple schemes, only around ₹1,300 crore has reportedly been spent so far.
Welfare activists have urged the government to ensure timely fund release and clarity on benefits to restore confidence among minority communities. Student Islamic Organization (SIO) has been demanding to release the amount of scholarship to all eligible minority students.
Mohammed Naseer Giyas is a multi-media and bilingual journalist with over 20 years of experience across print, digital, and television media. Founder of Raftaar-e-Deccan, he is an alumnus of IVLP, Thomson Reuters Foundation, and ICFJ, and has worked with leading English and Urdu news organisations.
