Bhubaneswar: In a major social welfare initiative, the Department of Women and Child Development has successfully organised mass marriages for around 1,000 couples across 27 districts in a single day under the ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana’.
Deputy Chief Minister and Women and Child Development Minister Pravati Parida attended a district-level ceremony in Balasore as the chief guest. The event, jointly organised by the district administration and the implementing agency at Padmavati Amusement Water Park, witnessed the solemnisation of marriages of 56 couples.
Addressing the gathering, Parida expressed satisfaction over the successful conduct of the ceremony and the union of more than 50 couples in Balasore. She urged parents and the younger generation to work collectively towards eliminating social evils such as child marriage and dowry.
Several dignitaries, including Member of Parliament Pratap Chandra Sarangi, State Women’s Commission Chairperson Sobhna Mohanty, Government Deputy Chief Whip Gobinda Chandra Das, local MLAs, and District Collector Surjyabanshi Mayur Vikas, were present and extended their blessings to the newlywed couples.
The Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana is aimed at supporting families facing financial constraints or social pressures in conducting their daughters’ marriages. Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive financial assistance of Rs 60,000, of which Rs 45,000 is directly transferred to their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer, while the remaining Rs 15,000 is utilised for organising the wedding ceremony.
