Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana at the sacred Maa Taratarini temple in Ganjam district, where 201 brides were married under the initiative.
On this occasion, Shri Majhi said the Kanya Bibaha Yojana is not just a welfare program but a unique effort to strengthen social security.
The Chief Minister personally performed kanyadaan and offered rituals in the sacred fire. He blessed the newlyweds and prayed for the happiness of Odisha’s people. He emphasised that daughters are blessings, not burdens, and stressed that no girl should be forced into early marriage due to poverty or social pressure.
The scheme provides Rs 60,000 assistance to eligible brides. Of this, Rs 45,000 goes directly to the bride’s bank account, while Rs 15,000 supports wedding expenses. Eligibility requires brides to be between 18 and 35 years and grooms between 21 and 35 years, both permanent residents of Odisha.
Majhi explained that the program will run across all districts from 2025–26 to 2029–30 with a budget allocation of over Rs 59 crore. He said true development means ensuring women’s safety, education, and dignity, not just building infrastructure.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida congratulated the couples and described the scheme as a heartfelt initiative. Ministers and legislators praised the program as a social revolution that will change perceptions about daughters in families. They highlighted its role in discouraging dowry, supporting widows’ remarriage, and reducing financial burdens on poor households.
The event drew large participation at Maa Taratarini Peeth, with officials, MLAs, MPs, and community leaders blessing the newlyweds. The Chief Minister reaffirmed his vision of a prosperous Odisha where every girl is educated, every woman is safe, and every family lives with dignity.
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