44 Couples Married Under UP Government Scheme in Shravasti

A total of 44 couples were married under the Uttar Pradesh government’s Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana at Tathagat Hall in the Collectorate in Shravasti today. The ceremony was inaugurated by District Panchayat Chairman Daddan Mishra, Shravasti MLA Ramferan Pandey and District Magistrate Annapurna Garg by lighting a ceremonial lamp.

During the programme, the District Panchayat chairman, the MLA and the District Magistrate presented certificates and gifts to the brides and grooms and blessed them. The marriages were conducted in accordance with the social and religious beliefs, traditions and customs of the beneficiaries covered under the scheme.

The organisers said the programme was held with the aim of ensuring an atmosphere of respect for all religions and social harmony. The couples were married according to their respective traditions and rituals.

Addressing the gathering, District Panchayat Chairman Daddan Mishra said the state government was committed to the upliftment of every section of society. He said there were poor and helpless families that were unable to marry their daughters because of poverty and financial difficulties.

Mishra said the government was arranging the marriages of the daughters of eligible poor families at its own expense. He said this was being done so that the parents would not have to bear the financial burden of the marriage.

Shravasti MLA Ramferan Pandey said the state government had taken responsibility for the daughters of poor families. He said the initiative would ensure that poor families would no longer have to remain worried about arranging their daughters’ marriages.

Pandey said the responsibility for implementing the scheme had been given to the nodal department and the Social Welfare Department. Through these departments, eligible beneficiaries are being selected and the benefits of the scheme are being provided to them.

District Magistrate Annapurna Garg blessed the newly married couples and wished them a bright future. She said poor families in the district had to face considerable difficulties in arranging the marriages of their daughters because of their financial condition.

The District Magistrate said the government had started arranging the marriages of poor daughters at its own expense after taking these difficulties into account. She described the initiative as a historic step and said the scheme was proving to be a boon for poor families.

Garg said that under the scheme, beneficiary couples are provided a total amount of one lakh rupees. Of this amount, 60 thousand rupees is transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Gifts worth 25 thousand rupees are provided, while 15 thousand rupees is spent on food, tents and other arrangements.

She said that a total of 44 couples were being married under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana in the programme. These included 09 couples from the Ikouna development block, 09 couples from Gilola, 11 couples from Hariharpur Rani, 06 couples from Jamunaha and 06 couples from Sirsiya.

The participating couples also included 02 couples from Nagar Palika Bhinga and 01 couple from Nagar Panchayat Ikouna. According to the category-wise details, 11 couples belonged to the minority community, 15 couples belonged to the Other Backward Class, 15 couples belonged to the Scheduled Caste, 01 couple belonged to the Scheduled Tribe and 02 couples belonged to the General category.

During the event, District Panchayat Chairman Daddan Mishra, MLA Ramferan Pandey and District Magistrate Annapurna Garg also released a book related to de-addiction.

District Social Welfare Officer Dr Amarnath Yati expressed gratitude to the public representatives, officials and distinguished people who attended the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana programme.

Former district president Uday Prakash Tripathi, Rajkishore Pandey, all the block development officers, other concerned officers and employees, and the family members of the brides and grooms were present on the occasion.