Bhubaneswar, February 3: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday launched the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana at the sacred Maa Tara Tarini Temple in Ganjam district, marking the mass marriage of 201 couples.

The scheme is designed to alleviate the financial burden on economically disadvantaged families, with a particular focus on Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.

The Chief Minister performed as the karta during the mass marriage rituals, and offered ahuti in the homa kunda, and blessed the newlyweds.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, “The scheme aims to ensure that no girl is forced into early marriage due to poverty or social pressure. Daughters are not a burden - they are God's blessing.”

Under the scheme, each eligible bride receives Rs 60,000. Out of the Rs 60,000 financial assistance Rs 45,000 goes directly to the bank account of the girl and Rs 15,000 towards wedding expenses.

The initiative supports poor families, discourages dowry, promotes widow remarriage, and strengthens women's dignity and social security.

The bride must be between 18 and 35 years old, and the groom must be between 21 and 35 to be covered under the scheme. Both must be permanent residents of Odisha.

The Government has made marriage registration mandatory for all beneficiaries to ensure legal security and combat child marriage.

The scheme will be rolled out statewide from 2025–26 with dedicated budget support.

“The scheme will be implemented in all districts of the State from 2025–26 to 2029–30, and for this purpose a budgetary provision of more than Rs 59 crore has been made,” said the CM.