AssamMinister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that the Assam Cabinet-led byCM Sarbananda Sonowal has approved the Arundhati scheme to provide goldat free of cost to the brides.

Under the scheme, the government of Assam aims to provide 1 Tola gold, at about Rs. 38,000 as of today, to brides belonging to all such communities of Assam where it is customary to provide gold at the time of the wedding.

Earlier, during the Budget session in the Assembly, Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced that the government set aside Rs. 300 crore for the implementation of the Arundhati Scheme. The benefit under the scheme can be availed upon formal registration of marriages under Special Marriage (Assam) Rules, 1954 & the gold will reach beneficiaries right in time for the social marriage.

Thescheme is named after Arundhati, wife of great sage Vashishtha.