Lucknow, June 4 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has expanded the reach of Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana by increasing the annual income eligibility limit to Rs 3 lakh, a move expected to boost applications from both rural and urban areas, a spokesperson said. From the fiscal year 2025-26, the state government has increased the financial assistance under the scheme to Rs 1 lakh per couple. Following the hike in aid and income limit, preparations for the next round of weddings have already begun. District and Social Welfare Department officials have launched the identification and verification process to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries are included. Clear instructions have been issued to district-level authorities to quickly prepare beneficiary lists and run special drives to maximise outreach. The revamped aid package includes Rs 60,000 to be directly deposited into the bride's bank account, Rs 25,000 worth of essential household gifts, and Rs 15,000 allocated for organising the wedding event. Teams of welfare officers are already active across districts including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Meerut, Agra, and Jhansi, conducting grassroots-level outreach and on-site inspections to validate applications. The state has emphasised a transparent and accurate application process, ensuring that only deserving families benefit. Officials have been directed to work in coordination with local bodies, gram panchayats, and Anganwadi centres to ensure accurate identification. The Social Welfare Department clarified that priority during application screening will be given to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities, and economically weaker families from both rural and urban areas. A government spokesperson said that this scheme has been a blessing for those who could not afford to organise proper weddings for their daughters due to financial problems. In the last eight years, 4,76,207 girls from poor families have been married under this scheme. The data shows that the scheme has been especially effective for backward classes, Dalits, and minorities. So far, the Dalit community has benefited the most, with over 2.20 lakh girls from Dalit families getting married through the scheme. Additionally, around 1.30 lakh backward-class families and more than 40,000 minority families have also received support....