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Odisha govt. promises Rs. 2.5 Lakhs for marriage with PwD. Is incentivising marriage really the best way to ensure inclusion?
The Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) has recently discussed a scheme under which an award of Rs. 2.5 Lakhs is promised as an incentive to able-bodied individuals upon marrying a disabled individual. The Odisha government has hiked the cash incentive from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 2.5 Lakhs with a vision of eliminating social injustice and discrimination and to enhance inclusivity in society. Like the Odisha government, other states like Telangana and Maharashtra provide for a marriage incentive of Rs.1,00,000 and Rs.50,000 respectively.
While such a scheme may appear to be a beneficial step to help disabled individuals with kick-starting a new life with their marital family, can it really be said that such a step would promote harmony and inclusion of disabled individuals in society? Such schemes open a plethora of possible cases where an able-bodied individual may marry a disabled individual solely for the purpose of receiving the monetary incentive. Though the previous scheme states that the amount can only be withdrawn after three years of the marriage and necessitates a joint signature of the spouses, there is a probability that the able-bodied individual may desert the disabled individual after receiving the said amount and serving their own selfish interests. Additionally, such an incentive increases the probability of family pressure making disabled people vulnerable to be forced and manipulated into otherwise abusive marriages.
A more constructive and accommodating scheme would be to provide adequate employment opportunities and direct financial aid to disabled individuals, and ensuring that these individuals are provided with a platform to build their own life. Such a step would also enhance inclusivity on a broader scale of society rather than just in the lives of their spouses' families.
