Telangana: Delay in Kalyana Lakshmi, Shaadi Mubarak benefits leaves poor families struggling

Poor families in Telangana are facing difficulties in availing benefits under the Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak schemes due to delays in processing applications and fund allocation. Expenditure under the welfare schemes has significantly declined across Minority, SC and ST departments.

Hyderabad: The Kalyana Lakshmi or Shaadi Mubarak scheme was introduced a decade back with a sole intention of extending financial assistance to poor families to perform the marriage of their daughters.

However, since the last two years, many poor families from SC, ST and Minorities are unable to reap benefits under the scheme. This is mainly due to the delay in processing the applications and allocation of funds.

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The scheme was launched by the BRS government in April 2016. Generally, the SC, ST and BC community beneficiaries’ applications are processed under the Kalyana Lakshmi name, those from minorities’ communities are processed under Shaadi Mubarak name.

The government extends a one-time grant of Rs.1,00,116 into the bank account of minority girls (bride) or mother towards expenses of the marriage. For the 2026-27 financial year, the Minorities Welfare department allocated Rs.650 crore in the budget, which is expected to benefit 64,900 beneficiaries.

However, the expenditure under the scheme has steadily decreased during the last two financial years.

In the 2024-25 financial year, Rs.650 crore budget was allocated but the expenditure incurred was Rs.403.90 crore. Similarly, in the 2025-26 financial year, Rs.650 crore was allocated but the expenditure declined to Rs.278.40 crore. This reflects the State government’s commitment in implementation of the scheme.

Same is the case with SC and ST beneficiaries. In the 2024-25 financial year, the Tribal Welfare department had allocated Rs.260 crore but the expenditure incurred was Rs.164.71 crore. In the 2025-26 financial year Rs.260 crore was allocated but only Rs.143.17 crore was spent, much less than the last financial year.

Like the ST Welfare department, the SC Development department in the 2024-25 financial year had allocated Rs.500 crore towards the scheme budget but the expenditure incurred was Rs.240 crore. In 2025-26 year also, Rs.600 crore was allocated but only Rs.200 crore expenditure was incurred.

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Decline in expenditure

Minorities Welfare Department

2024–25
Budget allocated: Rs.650 crore
Amount spent: Rs.403.9 crore
2025–26
Budget allocated: Rs.650 crore
Amount spent: Rs.278.4 crore

Tribal Welfare Department

2024–25
Budget: Rs.260 crore
Spent: Rs.164.71 crore
2025–26
Budget: Rs.260 crore
Spent: Rs.143.17 crore

SC Development Department

2024–25
Budget: Rs.500 crore
Spent: Rs.240 crore
2025–26
Budget: Rs.600 crore
Spent: Rs.200 crore