Odisha Government Strengthens Social Welfare Scheme
The Odisha Women and Child Development Department has strengthened the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana (MKBY) to provide social and financial support to economically weaker families in the state. As part of this initiative, district-level mass marriage ceremonies were organised on Thursday in Cuttack and Sundargarh.
The scheme aims to assist eligible families in conducting marriages while also promoting social awareness against harmful practices such as child marriage and dowry.
Deputy Chief Minister Attends Cuttack Event
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who is also in charge of the Women and Child Development Department, attended the district-level mass marriage programme in Cuttack.
Speaking at the event, she said that the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana is not merely a financial assistance scheme but also a strong social initiative to discourage child marriage and dowry practices. She added that the programme ensures dignity, security, and social acceptance for young women beginning a new phase of life. The scheme also encourages widow remarriage.
55 Couples Married in Cuttack Ceremony
During the event in Cuttack, a total of 55 couples from different communities tied the knot in a traditional ceremony. Several public representatives and senior officials were present to bless the newly married couples.
Among those attending were Cuttack Sadar MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi, Women and Child Development Commissioner-cum-Secretary Mrinalini Darswal, department director Monisha Banerjee, and Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde.
Cuttack Municipal Corporation Commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota and other officials also attended the programme. The Deputy Chief Minister personally interacted with the couples and advised them to build their families on mutual respect, understanding, and equality.
Mass Marriage Ceremony Held in Sundargarh
A similar district-level ceremony was also organised by the administration in Sundargarh at Shankar Kalyan Mandap. During the programme, 61 couples were married according to traditional customs.
The event was attended by Sundargarh District Collector Shubhankar Mohapatra, Sundargarh Municipality Chairperson Tanaya Mishra, Sub-Collector Tejaswini Behera, and Additional District Magistrates Suraj Kumar Pattnaik and Abhimanyu Majhi, among other officials.
Financial Assistance for Eligible Brides
Under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana, eligible brides above 18 years of age receive financial assistance of ₹60,000 for marriage. Out of this amount, ₹45,000 is directly transferred to the bride’s bank account, while the remaining ₹15,000 is used to organise and manage the mass marriage ceremony through designated implementing agencies.
The scheme is aimed at reducing the financial burden on poor families while promoting social equality and responsible marriage practices in the state.