Cuttack, April 21, 2026 (Rupashree Swetapadma Mohanty): The second phase of the district-level mass marriage programme under the ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana’ was held today at Barabati Palace premises, Cuttack.
The scheme is not limited to financial aid, but serves as a social message against child marriage and dowry while ensuring dignity and security for girls, officials said.
Barabati-Cuttack MLA Er. Sofia Firdous, the chief guest, blessed the newlyweds. She called it “a matter of great joy” that people of all castes, religions and communities celebrated marriage together as a festival.
Under the scheme, girls aged 18–35 and boys aged 21–35 are married following both legal and traditional rites. Each eligible bride gets ₹60,000. Of this, ₹45,000 is sent directly to the bride’s bank account, while ₹15,000 covers wedding arrangements.
Today's event saw 65 couples tie the knot. The group included 2 Muslim couples, 1 Christian couple, and 1 widow. A girl earlier rescued from child marriage was also married after attaining the legal age of 18. Beneficiaries belonged to SC, ST, minority and general categories.
Collector and District Magistrate Shri Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde extended greetings and said the administration will work proactively to implement the scheme.
Additional District Magistrate Dr. Ipsita Priyadarshini Mishra, who supervised the programme, said the aid builds a foundation of security, dignity and self-reliance for girls. She added that the scheme sets an example in preventing child marriage and removing stigma around widow remarriage.
The programme is executed under direct supervision of the Women and Child Development Department. Officials of the District Social Welfare Office, parents, relatives and representatives of women’s and social organisations attended the event.
The scheme is not limited to financial aid, but serves as a social message against child marriage and dowry while ensuring dignity and security for girls, officials said.
Barabati-Cuttack MLA Er. Sofia Firdous, the chief guest, blessed the newlyweds. She called it “a matter of great joy” that people of all castes, religions and communities celebrated marriage together as a festival.
Under the scheme, girls aged 18–35 and boys aged 21–35 are married following both legal and traditional rites. Each eligible bride gets ₹60,000. Of this, ₹45,000 is sent directly to the bride’s bank account, while ₹15,000 covers wedding arrangements.
Today's event saw 65 couples tie the knot. The group included 2 Muslim couples, 1 Christian couple, and 1 widow. A girl earlier rescued from child marriage was also married after attaining the legal age of 18. Beneficiaries belonged to SC, ST, minority and general categories.
Collector and District Magistrate Shri Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde extended greetings and said the administration will work proactively to implement the scheme.
Additional District Magistrate Dr. Ipsita Priyadarshini Mishra, who supervised the programme, said the aid builds a foundation of security, dignity and self-reliance for girls. She added that the scheme sets an example in preventing child marriage and removing stigma around widow remarriage.
The programme is executed under direct supervision of the Women and Child Development Department. Officials of the District Social Welfare Office, parents, relatives and representatives of women’s and social organisations attended the event.
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