Mass marriage ceremonies organized under the Odisha government’s Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana took place in various districts across the state on Tuesday.

In Sambalpur, Union Education Minister and local MP Dharmendra Pradhan attended the event virtually, congratulating the 22 couples who married at a Kalyan Mandap in Dhanupali. Pradhan emphasized that the initiative aims to support underprivileged families, reflecting the government’s commitment to social welfare. He noted that such programs alleviate the financial burden of marriages and enhance the dignity of beneficiaries.

Furthermore, he mentioned that several initiatives are being implemented under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership to improve women’s socio-economic status, including state-level programs like Subhadra Yojana, which focus on women’s empowerment. The event was also attended by Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik and Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra.

In Nuapada, a similar event was held at Gurukul Ashram in Amsena, where 12 couples married following traditional rituals. Nuapada MLA Jay Dholakia, who was the chief guest, congratulated the newlyweds and announced financial assistance of Rs 45,000 for each bride under the scheme, along with an additional Rs 1,100 for each couple.

In Jagatsinghpur, the mass wedding ceremony took place in front of the collector’s office, with at least 28 brides marrying according to traditional customs. Additional mass weddings were also held in Malkangiri, Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi, Koraput, and Puri.