After passing the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020, the state government is now planning to remove a scheme which incentivises interfaith marriage for 44 years.
The Intercaste and Interfaith Marriage Incentive Scheme was brought into effect in 1976, which was initiated by the national integration department of the UP.
Uttarakhand which was carved out from the Uttar Pradesh two decades ago, had retained the incentive scheme, but now as per various reports, the state has been mulling over withdrawing the scheme, reported Times of India.
Earlier, to avail the benefits under this scheme, an interfaith couple had to apply to the district court within two years of their marriage. Once the verification was completed, the couple would be provided with a certain amount of money.
In 2017, the Uttar Pradesh government stated that the couple who convert their religion after marriage will not be given any incentive under the scheme.
"In UP, 11 interfaith couples were beneficiaries of the scheme last year and got Rs 50,000 each," said a government spokesman, reported IANS.
“The scheme will be reconsidered after the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion ordinance. In any case both work at cross purposes,” the spokesman added.
The official further stated that this year, no amount has been released. The four applications that were filed remain pending, reported IANS.
(With inputs from IANS)
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