Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Government of Odisha has updated the guidelines for giving cash incentives for marriage between benchmark disabilities and a normal person from 50,000 to 2, 50,000.
A letter from Bhaskar Sarma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to the department of social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities stated that the incentive amount under the scheme has now been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2,50,000 per eligible couple.
Bhaskar further added that the guidelines for the award of the cash incentive have been revised because of some operational problems conveyed to the report during the implementation of the scheme and the revised guidelines will be effective from the date of its issue.
With the revised guideline the cash incentive will be provided to either of the spouses with benchmark disability if another person marries a person with benchmark disability and the marriage should not counter any dowry.
Bhaskar stated that the eligible couple will have to apply online (www.ssepd.gov.in ) under the Application for Marriage Incentive menu. For filling up the application form necessary documents which are needed are – Aadhaar Linked Disability Certificate, Marriage Registration Certificate issued by the competent registration authority of marriages, Self-attested Postcard Size Joint Photograph of the couple, a residential certificate issued by the Tahsildar, or any other authentic Proof of residence.
After completion of verification and other procedures, the incentive amount will be distributed to the couple through the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) and the amount of incentive shall be secured for the next three years.
Regarding the withdrawal system, Bhaskar stated that it is allowed in three phases with the withdrawal of 10% of the funds after six months, the next 10% after one year, and the balance of 80% of the funds after three years of the marriage successful completion. The couple can withdraw the amount through joint signature.
Bhaskar further stated that in case of divorce or dissolution of marriage within three to five years from the date of receipt of the first installment, the normal person among the couple is liable for a refund of 50 percent of the total amount as an arrear of land revenue within one year of the occurrence failing which principal amount with an annual interest of 6.5% will be charged from him/her.
And in case of fraud that avails the cash will be punished with imprisonment up to two years or Rs 1 lakh fine.
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