Madhya Pradesh: 10,000 couples tie knot

Bhopal, Apr 21: About 10,000 couples have tied the nuptial knot on the occasion of 'Akshay Tritiya' in Madhya Pradesh under the Mukhyamantri Kanyadaan Yojna.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and several other people's representatives performed 'kanyadaan' and blessed the newly-wedded couples at various places.

The marriages were solemnised yesterday at an estimated amount of Rs six crore.

Under the Mukhyamantri Kanyadaan Yojna -- introduced on April 01, 2006 -- mass marriages of poor girls are performed with the financial assistance from the state government, an official release here said.

Each girl is paid Rs 5,000 for domestic needs, while Rs 1,000 per girl is paid to the organiser of the event.

Mr Chouhan attended the mass marriage function held at Budhni, Ashta and Kankarkhera. He performed 'kanyadaan' and extended best wishes and blessings to the newly-wedded couples on the occasion.

Marriages of Hindu and Muslim couples were performed as per their rituals in Mr Chouhan's presence under the Mukhyamantri Kanyadaan Yojna.

As per official information, 923 marriages had been performed in Gwalior, 600 in Chhindwara, 430 in Shivpuri, 220 in Sehore, 272 in Narsinghpur, 155 in Anuppur, 115 in Jabalpur, 111 in Morena, 101 in Gadakota (Sagar), about 100 in Burhanpur and 70 in Indore.

UNI