The Karnataka State Brahmin Development Board has come out with two initiatives, aimed to benefit Brahmin brides from economically weaker sections.
The ‘Arundhati’ scheme will provide ₹25,000 to newly-wedded Brahmin women from poor families who marry within the community. Brides marrying priests (Archakas and Purohits) will be provided an aid of ₹3 lakh under the ‘Maitreyi’ programme.
This scheme in Karnataka will be launched by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and during the initial pilot project stage, 500 brides from poor backgrounds will be able to avail the benefit of Arundhati scheme and the Maitreyi scheme will be extended to 25 brides.
H S Sachidananda Murthy, Chairman of the state’s Brahmin Development Board was quoted saying in reports that the family availing the scheme has to produce a certificate citing they are from the economically backward class. The couple has to be married for at least five years and it should be their first marriage.
But the board will also be taking several other measures to alleviate the Brahmin community. 4,000 participants aged between 8-80 years will be given ₹500 for getting trained in “Sandhya Vandana” and pooja rituals.
The board also will spend ₹14 crore to provide scholarships to 5,800 students from the community.