Nilgiris remembers J Jayalalithaa for marriage assistance scheme

Ooty: The State marriage assistance, “Thallikku Thangam” scheme has come as a blessing in disguise for poor girls in the hill district and so far 14,946 girls hailing from economically backward families have availed this scheme in recent years. People in the district remember former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s role in fashioning this scheme on her third death anniversary on Thursday.  

Making a detailed account on the success which this scheme scripted inthe Nilgiris and the way this scheme is being implemented to take it to the doorsteps of the poor, R. Sanmughasundaram, public relations officer in Nilgiris, noted that the scheme took roots in Nilgiris during 2011-12, when late Chief Minister Ms. Jayalalitha introduced this scheme.

“While the girls who studied up to class 12 are eligible for four grams of gold and Rs 25,000 as marriage assistance, those girls who have completed graduation are eligible to avail four grams of gold and Rs 50,000 as assistance.   

So, far in Nilgiris over the last eight years 14,946 beneficiaries from poor background, including the tribes, availed this scheme as  in total 76-kg of gold and Rs 51.38 crore financial assistance was distributed to the beneficiaries” Mr. Shnmughasundaram  pointed out.

Ms. Susheela, a daily wage earner hailing from Mottorai hamlet said that she struggled to find financial resources to give her daughter in marriage and this scheme of “Amma” has come handy to her family.

This scheme is really a light in the lives of the poor,” she added.