Lucknow, 18 March (HS) : The Yogi Government in the state, continuing its thrust on pro-women, pro-rural and pro-poor initiatives, organised the largest-ever ‘mass marriage’ (Samoohik Vivah) at a single venue in the state capital Lucknow, under the ‘Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivah Yojana’ on Thursday.
CM Yogi Adityanath also graced the occasion and extended his best wishes and blessings to all the couples who tied the knot at the mega event. The CM said that ‘kanyadaan’ in Indian tradition is the greatest gift and the biggest achievement for any individual and it is an honor for all to be a part of such an auspicious ceremony.
The Chief Minister congratulated the Labour Department for successfully conducting the marriage of over 3500 poor daughters of construction workers, the most at a single venue. Earlier, the record of most number of marriages was at Moradabad on February 16 when marriages of 2754 poor girls had taken place at ‘Samoohik Vivah programme’.
Pushing for integrated development of the entire Uttar Pradesh, CM Yogi has always laid special emphasis on the welfare of women and empowerment of daughters in the state.
Attacking the opposition, CM said that at the time the scheme was launched, the opposition parties had termed it as a ‘disrespect’ for the daughters, however, today, providing all assistance, our government has so far facilitated marriage of more than one and a half lakh daughters in the state and has successfully encouraged girls belonging to poor families from all sections below the poverty line.
CM Yogi, however, urged the people across the state to strictly follow COVID-19 protocols and make use of hand sanitisers and masks. The marriage ceremony was organised only after providing all the information and following the Covid-19 rules including physical distancing.
Reiterating the resolve of ‘Do Gaj Doori Mask hai Zaroori’, CM Adityanath motivated people to focus on both life and well being for a prosperous and healthy Uttar Pradesh.
CM further said that the government took every possible measure for the welfare of the poor as no state can develop without uplifting the weaker sections.
It also ensured basics like food, water and shelter to provide relief to the street vendors and the poor with ‘sustenance allowance’. To cater over 54 lakh migrant labourers and destitute persons, the government initiated the concept of community kitchens. Besides, the government also distributed free-of-cost gas cylinders to the needy for the span of 6 months. About 6.75 crore food packets were distributed to them during the Lockdown.
“The government also set a new milestone of providing PM Kalyan packages to over crores of beneficiaries”, said the CM.
CM Yogi also asked the officials to spread awareness and ensure effective implementation of welfare schemes at grassroots level so that no eligible person is deprived of the benefits.
Speaking about the Atal Residential Schools in all 18 divisions, CM Yogi said all the children of the registered labourers will be provided free facilities which will lead students towards self-reliance.
The government also made a budgetary provision of Rs 12 crore for ‘Mukhyamantri Durghatna Bima Yojana’ for providing social security to palledars, labourers’ families and workers of unorganized sector and within the state, over 2 crore registered labour families and non-registered labor families are being given the benefit of the insurance scheme.
It is to be mentioned that under the mass marriage scheme, the government provides financial assistance of Rs 55,000 to the registered daughters, whereas, monetary aid of Rs 61,000 and Rs 75,000 is given for the girls with disabilities. An arrangement of Rs 2.10 crores was made to conduct the community marriage here at Lucknow.
Labour Minister of UP Swami Prasad Maurya, Law Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Women Welfare Swati Singh and Minister of State for Labour Manohar Lal Kori were also present on the occasion.
