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The Delhi Government's Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) offers financial help to widows and women Read More... in distress to support the marriage of their daughters through the Widow Daughter Marriage (WDM) Scheme. Read less

Details

Facing financial challenges when it comes to your daughter's wedding? The Delhi Government understands. The Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) runs a special scheme to lend a helping hand to widows and women in distress. This scheme, known as the Widow Daughter Marriage (WDM) Scheme, aims to ease the financial burden of organizing your daughter's marriage.

What Is This Scheme?

The WDM Scheme is a welfare initiative by the Government of NCT of Delhi. Its primary goal is to provide financial assistance to poor widows so they can arrange their daughters' marriages. It also supports guardians, institutions, or foster parents looking after orphan girls by providing funds for their weddings. This is a one-time grant designed to help with a significant life event.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is specifically designed for widows in Delhi who are struggling financially to get their daughters married. It also extends support to those caring for orphan girls, including homes, institutions, and foster parents, to help facilitate the marriage of these girls.

Why This Scheme Is Important

In many families, the marriage of a daughter can be a significant financial undertaking. For widows, especially those with limited income, this can be a source of immense stress. The WDM Scheme aims to alleviate this pressure by providing direct financial aid, ensuring that daughters of widows and orphan girls can enter marital life with dignity and support, without the family facing undue financial hardship.

Objective

The Delhi Government's Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) offers financial help to widows and women in distress to support the marriage of their daughters through the Widow Daughter Marriage (WDM) Scheme.

Benefits

Loans up to ₹3,00,000/- per individual.

Loans are interest-free for 2 years, followed by a 6% simple interest rate.

Note:In case of the death of a loan recipient, the co-applicant shall be liable for a refund of the outstanding loan. The co-applicant is liable for a refund of only the principal amount to be paid within a period not exceeding one year.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

Financial assistance is available for the marriage of up to two daughters per applicant.
Applicants must have been a resident of Delhi for at least 5 years before the application date.
The annual income of the applicant from all sources (including rent, interest, dividends, farm earnings, property sale proceeds, etc.) should not exceed ₹1,00,000/-.
Applicants must possess an Aadhaar number.
The applicant must have a single-operated Aadhaar-linked bank account within the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
Applicants should not be receiving any financial assistance for the same purpose from the discretionary funds of the Lt. Governor or the Chief Minister of Delhi.
The girl for whom assistance is sought must be at least 18 years old on the date of her marriage.
The application must be submitted within 60 days, either before or after the solemnization of the marriage.
The applicant should not be receiving any pension from the Central Government, State Government, MCD, NDMC, or any other source for this specific purpose.

How To Apply

Applications can be submitted online through the e-district portal at https://edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in.
Alternatively, applications can be submitted offline to the concerned District WCD Officer in the prescribed form, which can be obtained from any District WCD Offices.
The application must include a recommendation from the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of the concerned area or the Member of Parliament (MP).
Applications must be submitted at least 60 days before or after the marriage date.

Documents Required

Here's a list of documents you might need to submit:

For Widow Applicants: Aadhaar card of the widow. Aadhaar card of the daughter is optional.
For Orphan Girl Applicants: Aadhaar card of the orphan girl applying for her marriage.
Proof of Identity (any one of the following):
- Voter ID card
- PAN card
- Driving License
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport
- Insurance Policy Documents
- Electricity Bill / Water Bill / Telephone Bill / Gas Connection Receipt
- Bank Passbook
- Caste Certificate issued in Delhi
- Service Identity Card of public/private sector company/establishment
- Property Document
- Any other document proving at least 5 years of residence in Delhi.
Proof of Residence in Delhi for the last 5 years.
Income Proof: Self-declaration regarding the applicant's income.
Age Proof for the Girl:
- Birth Certificate issued by MCD/Registrar-Births & Deaths
- School leaving certificate of the last attended class
- Matriculation/10th Certificate
- Hospital discharge slip at the time of birth
- Voter ID card
- PAN card
- Driving License
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport
- Age assessment medical certificate
- Any government-issued document stating date and place of birth.
For Orphan Girls:
- If the orphan girl is self-sufficient: An affidavit on stamp paper attested by a Metropolitan or Executive Magistrate or Notary, or a certificate from a Gazetted Officer confirming she is an orphan.
- If raised by a guardian/foster parent/relative: Affidavits from these individuals stating the girl is an orphan and they have raised her.
Marriage invitation card for the wedding for which assistance is sought.
Self-declaration stating no financial assistance has been received from other government or non-government organizations for this purpose.
Bank account details (single-operated, Aadhaar-linked account in Delhi only).
Bank passbook/statement for the last one year.
For SC/ST applicants: Caste certificate in the applicant's name issued by the competent authority. For minority applicants: Self-declaration of religion verified from the religious institution.
One passport-size photograph of the applicant.
One photograph of the marriage ceremony.

Official Sources

e-District Delhi Portal: https://edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in

FAQ’s

What is the main purpose of the Widow Daughter Marriage (WDM) Scheme?

The WDM Scheme provides financial aid to poor widows to help them get their daughters married. It also supports guardians and institutions in marrying orphan girls. The scheme offers a one-time grant of ₹30,000 per application, for up to two daughters.

How long does it take to get a decision on a WDM application?

The district level authorities usually take about 60 days to sanction applications for payment under the WDM scheme.

If I move within Delhi, how do I update my address for the WDM scheme?

If you change your address within Delhi, you need to submit an application along with proof of your new address to the concerned District W&CD Office.

Is it mandatory to have an Aadhaar card to apply for the WDM scheme?

Yes, applicants must have a single-operated Aadhaar-linked bank account with any bank in Delhi. While the applicant's Aadhaar is mandatory, the daughter's Aadhaar is optional.

What is the income limit for the WDM scheme?

The applicant's annual income from all sources must be less than ₹1,00,000/- to be eligible for financial assistance under the WDM Scheme.

Can I apply for WDM if I am not a resident of Delhi?

No, the scheme is exclusively for residents of Delhi who have lived in the city for at least the last 5 years.

What documents prove the age of the daughter for marriage?

To prove the girl's age, you can submit documents like her Birth Certificate, School leaving certificate, Matriculation Certificate, Voter ID card, PAN card, Driving License, Aadhaar Card, Passport, or a government-issued age assessment certificate.

What happens if someone tries to get WDM benefits using fake documents?

If assistance is granted based on false documents, strict penal action will be taken. The beneficiary will be held liable for submitting fake documents, and the amount received will be recovered.

How much financial help can I receive from the WDM Scheme?

The quantum of financial assistance provided under the WDM Scheme is ₹30,000/-. This is a one-time grant.

Is verification done before WDM scheme benefits are granted?

Yes, the District Officer, WCD, will verify all submitted documents. A home visit might be conducted if needed. A SIR Report is also submitted at the district level through e-district.

What if I need to change my bank account details for receiving WDM funds?

You should submit an application to the concerned District Office, WCD, to change your bank account details. Please note that payments are made via Direct Benefit Transfer (Aadhaar Based) into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

Does the WDM application require any recommendation or attestation?

Yes, the application form needs to be attested by a Gazetted Officer or the local Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA).