1. In the State Budget for the financial year 2018-19 tabled on 31st January 2018, the Hon’ble Finance Minister, Government of West Bengal, announced a one-time financial grant of Rs. 25,000 for economically stressed families at the time of their adult daughters’ marriages.

2. The grant, to be provided under the name of “Rupashree Prakalpa”, is aimed at mitigating the difficulties that poor families face in bearing the expenditure of their daughters’ marriages, for which they often have to borrow money at very high interest rates.

3. Rupashree Prakalpa will come into effect on 01 April, 2018 and will be applicable for all marriages effected from 01 April, 2018.

4. The scheme will be implemented in all districts of West Bengal.

“Marriage” means and includes marital union between a sound male, not below the age of 21 (twenty one) years and a female, not below the age of 18 (eighteen) years both capable of giving free consent, solemnised by sacrament or any recognised ritual, custom and convention or as a result of free contract or by registration under the Special Marriage Act.