Funds for incentivising marriages of disabled unutilised

"For the year 2012-13 we have received funds of Rs 30,000 for the first four months and more funds will be available soon. The fund has remained unutilised as we have not received any application," Hemraj Singh, District Handicap Welfare Officer, said.

Under the Incentive Award on Marriage of Persons with Disabilities scheme, Rs 14,000 incentive is given in case of female partner or both the spouses being disabled, he said, adding that Rs 11,000 is given in case of male partner being disabled.

One of the conditions for availing the incentive under the scheme is that both of the spouses should not be income tax payees, he said.

While it has not been determined as to why there is a paucity in applications, Geeta Sharma, who is handicapped, claimed, "This means government expects handicaps to have a low income spouse only. It is unjustified."