Kalyan Lakshmi, Shaadi Mubarak Schemes Will Continue: Ponnam Prabhakar

Telangana Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has assured that the state government will continue the Kalyan Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak welfare schemes, dismissing concerns that the programmes could be discontinued.

In a post on X on Saturday, Prabhakar said the schemes were part of the government’s policy decisions and reiterated its commitment to supporting economically weaker families. The two programmes provide financial assistance for the marriages of eligible women from poor households.

Addressing the ongoing legal issue surrounding the schemes, the minister said the state government had presented strong arguments before the Telangana High Court.

According to Prabhakar, the earlier stay arose after the government failed to file its counter in the case within the required time. Once the matter came to the government’s attention, it submitted both a counter affidavit and a petition seeking vacation of the stay, he said.

The minister added that arguments in the matter had already been completed and expressed confidence that the High Court would consider the government’s submissions and deliver a favourable verdict.

Prabhakar also criticised opposition parties for politicising an issue concerning financial assistance to poor families. He alleged that some opposition leaders were taking satisfaction from the possibility of the schemes being stalled and the government facing difficulties.

He urged political parties to keep the welfare of poor families above political considerations and suggested that opposition leaders could implead themselves in the case and present arguments in support of beneficiaries.

The minister stressed that helping families meet marriage-related expenses for their daughters was an important responsibility of the government. He assured beneficiaries that the government would work to resolve the legal hurdles and ensure that welfare benefits continue without interruption.