India, July 21 -- In a major policy shift, the Jammu and Kashmir government has scrapped the minimum education requirement for girls to access benefits under the Marriage Assistance Scheme, Cabinet Minister Sakina Itoo announced on Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Itoo called the previous requirement - which mandated that girls must have passed at least the 8th standard - "unfair and exclusionary," particularly for families from economically weaker sections.

"There is no need for girls to be 8th pass now. Putting such a condition was wrong. It went against the spirit of the scheme, which is meant to help poor families during their daughters' marriage," she said, according to news agency.

The Marriage Assistance Scheme offers financial su...