Bhubaneswar, March 12: The Odisha government has launched the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana to support the marriage of girls from economically weaker families. The initiative aims to promote women’s welfare, ensure social security, and help curb the dowry system, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said.
Under the scheme, the state government will organize 190 mass marriages on March 12 and 13 across different districts. According to Mrinalini Darswal, Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department, a mass marriage programme will be held in Cuttack on Thursday, where 50 couples will tie the knot. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 am.
On March 13, similar ceremonies will take place in Balasore (40 marriages), Mayurbhanj (50 marriages), and Sundargarh (50 marriages). The first phase of the scheme had earlier been launched in Ganjam district.
The Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana provides financial assistance and gifts to support wedding expenses for eligible beneficiaries. The government will provide a total assistance of ₹51,000, out of which ₹35,000 will be transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account within seven days of marriage registration. In addition, ₹10,000 will be given as gifts and ₹6,000 for wedding arrangements.
To avail the benefit, the bride must be at least 18 years old, and both the bride and groom must be residents of Odisha. The scheme primarily targets girls from poor families. Widows who remarry are also eligible to receive assistance.
Earlier, the state government had issued guidelines for the scheme, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has also been signed with Utkalika to support its implementation.
