Argus News - Brides in Odisha to Get Rs 51000 Assistance Under New Govt Scheme

Bhubaneswar, Dec 6: The Odisha government has issued detailed guidelines for the newly launched Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana (MKBY), under which financially weaker families will receive Rs 51,000 as assistance for their daughters’ marriage.

According to the guidelines released by the state government, the amount will be structured as follows:

• Rs 35,000 will be transferred directly to the bride’s bank account
• Rs 6,000 will be provided for marriage-related expenses
• Rs 10,000 will be given in the form of gifts, including anklets (paunji), toe rings (jhuntia), bangles, household vessels, and other essential items.
• These items will be procured through Utkalika under the Handloom, Textiles, and Handicrafts Department.

Eligibility Criteria

• Only one eligible woman from a family can avail the scheme.
• The bride must be 18 to 35 years old
• The groom must be 21 to 35 years old
• Both bride and groom must be residents of Odisha.
• The scheme applies primarily to first-time marriages, though widows getting remarried will also be eligible.
• Priority groups include widows, persons with disabilities (PwDs), members of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), SC & ST communities, and low-income households.

Scheme Period & Allocation
The Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana will remain in force from 2025–26 to 2029–30.

The government has approved a total outlay of Rs 59.30 crore for five years to implement the programme across all districts.

The initiative is aimed at offering financial relief to economically weaker families and ensuring that no girl’s marriage is delayed due to financial hardship.

Implementation
The Women and Child Development Department has already written to all district collectors, directing them to begin implementation as per the guidelines.

If the number of applications in any district exceeds the target, priority will be given to families already receiving support under various state and central social security schemes.

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Officials said the move is intended to make marriage support accessible to vulnerable women and reduce financial stress on disadvantaged households.