Bhubaneswar, Feb. 23 -- The Odisha government will soon launch the Mukhya Mantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana to fund weddings of girls from low-income families, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Tuesday.

The initiative, aimed at easing financial burdens on poor households, will organize mass weddings covered entirely by the state, including gifts for brides. A budget of Rs.12 crore has been allocated for the scheme in 2025-26.

Majhi unveiled the plan during the inauguration of the nine-day Subhadra Shakti Mela at Bhubaneswar's Janata Maidan, emphasizing that funding "will not hinder implementation." The program mirrors similar efforts in Madhya Pradesh, focusing on families struggling with marriage costs.

In another major step, th...