President inaugurates scheme to help poor girls get married in Bihar

Patna, Feb 17 : President Pratibha Patil inaugurated a scheme to provide financial help to get poor girls married off in Bihar.

Launching the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojna (Chief Minister Girls' Marriage Scheme), Patil said: "This scheme will not only provide financial support to the girls of poor families in getting married, but will also help in getting rid of the social stigmas like child marriage and dowry."

The Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojna will act as a positive influence, she added.

The scheme will provide a financial help of 5,000 rupees for a girl's marriage to families whose annual income is below 60,000 rupees.

The scheme will also cover the marriages, which have taken place after November 22, 2007.

During the programme Patil also felicitated few newly married couples.

"We are feeling very happy that this scheme to help the girls of poor families has been started in Bihar. We are excited that we will receive cheques from the President," said Mohammad Firoz, a newly married groom.

The President also attended an inter-university cultural festival hosted by the Magadh University during her two day visit to Bihar.

ANI