AAY people to get addl ration free of cost
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 3: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has enhanced the financial assistance under the State Marriage Assistance Scheme (SMAS) for poor girls, increasing the amount from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 for families holding Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cards.
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An order issued by the Department of Social Welfare stated the financial assistance has been increased to Rs 75,000 (one time) for eligible AAY category girls of marriageable age under the scheme.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that it is a step towards dignity and empowerment.
“Our Government stands committed to uplifting every household in need. This support will be directly credited before marriage via DBT,” he remarked.
The decision follows Abdullah’s budget speech on March 7, in which he had announced a series of pro-poor initiatives, including the enhancement of marriage assistance for AAY-category girls.
The revised scheme will take effect from April 1, 2025.
To ensure transparency and efficiency, the financial aid will be directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system before the marriage.
In another major welfare initiative, the J&K 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 move aims to strengthen food security for the region’s most vulnerable families and fulfills a key commitment made in budget 2025-26.
Omar hailed the initiative as a significant pro-people decision, emphasizing that the Government is delivering on its promises. “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 4 or more members will get up to 10 kg of food grains, reinforcing our commitment to social welfare,” he stated.
The Government has also ordered the enhancement of pensions under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS).
This move also marks the fulfillment of a key commitment made by the Chief Minister in the Assembly on March 7.
As per the revised structure, effective from April 1, 2025, pension beneficiaries will receive increased financial assistance.
“This is not just assistance-it’s our commitment to an inclusive and caring welfare state,” Omar stated.
Individuals below 60 years of age will now receive Rs 1,250 per month, while those aged between 60 and 79 years will be entitled to Rs 1,500 per month.
Senior citizens 80 years and above will receive a monthly pension of Rs 2,000, ensuring better support for the elderly.
As per the order, the Government has announced significant enhancements in social pensions under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) to provide better financial support to vulnerable sections of society.
Under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), the pension for individuals aged 60-79 years has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500, while those aged 80 years and above will now receive Rs 2,000 instead of Rs 1,000.
Similarly, under the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), widows aged 40-59 years will receive Rs 1,250 (earlier Rs 1,000), those aged 60-79 years will receive Rs 1,500 (earlier Rs 1,000), and widows 80 years and above will now receive Rs 2,000.
Additionally, the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) has been revised, with pensions for disabled individuals in the 18-59 years category raised to Rs 1,250, those 60-79 years receiving Rs 1,500, and those 80 years and above now receiving Rs 2,000.
Furthermore, under the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS), which is UT-funded, pension rates have been revised across multiple beneficiary groups.
Old Age Pensions have been increased to Rs 1,250 for females aged 55-60 years, Rs 1,500 for those 60-79 years, and Rs 2,000 for those aged 80 years and above.
Similarly, widow/divorcee pensions have been enhanced to Rs 1,250 for widows below 60 years with a legal marriageable age, Rs 1,500 for those 60-79 years, and Rs 2,000 for those 80 years and above.
The Disability Pension has been revised to Rs 1,250 for those below 60 years, Rs 1,500 for those 60-79 years, and Rs 2,000 for those 80 years and above.
A similar structure applies to the transgender pension, ensuring increased financial assistance across all age categories.
Furthering his Government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, the Chief Minister had 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 Center (SKICC).
Speaking at the launch event, Omar said, “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.” The Omar Abdullah-led Government has fulfilled yet another promise by implementing Zero Stamp Duty on property transfers through Gift Deeds within blood relations. In this regard, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued order 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 has come into force w.e.f. 1st April 2025.
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