Under the Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana, 103 couples tied the nuptial knot on Sunday, on the occasion of Magh Poornima at the famous historical and archaeological city, Sirpur.
According to an official press statement issued here on Monday, marriage of 103 poor girls has been solemnised at the Yagnashala on the banks of Mahanadi on Sunday afternoon, with the cooperation of the district administration. Mahasamund MP Chandulal Sahu and collector R Sangeeta blessed the new couples by presenting them anklets.
In the marriage ceremony organised by the Woman and Child Development Department, `15,000 has been spent on each couple, in which, necessary domestic appliances including bowls, almirah, cloths, cosmetics and expenses on marriage arrangement. Before the marriage, the department has provided food to the couples and their family members.
The Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana has been launched in the State in 2005-06 with the objective to remove financial burden on the marriage of the girls of poor families, for prevention of dowry system, to stop extravaganza and to promote simplicity in marriage.
Under the scheme, the district administration had solemnised marriage of 134 couples during the Sirpur Mahotsava last year. District Woman and Child Development officer Sameer Pandey expressed gratitude for the successful organisation of the function.
President of District Scouts-Guides Association Ashutosh Mishra, District Panchayat CEO SN Rathore, social worker Dularava Ram Nishad, local sarpanch Pushpa Yadav, eminent citizens and relatives of the couples were present at the function.