The Odisha government has introduced a significant social welfare initiative, the Mukhya Mantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana (MKBY), with a clear focus on supporting widow remarriage. The scheme, designed to provide substantial marriage assistance to economically disadvantaged families, explicitly places widows at the top of its priority list.
Key Guidelines and Financial Assistance
The Women and Child Development Department has released the detailed guidelines for the scheme. Widows who are already beneficiaries of government social protection programs will receive top priority for the marriage assistance. Following them, the scheme will extend support to persons with disabilities, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), individuals from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, and those from low-income households.
To be eligible, the bride must be between 18 and 35 years of age, while the groom should be aged 21 to 35. Although the scheme primarily encourages first marriages, it makes a special provision by prioritizing women who are widows and seeking to remarry.
Each approved beneficiary will receive total financial assistance of Rs 51,000 to help cover marriage expenses and reduce the financial strain on the family. Out of this sum, Rs 35,000 will be provided as direct financial support. The state has allocated a budget of Rs 59.30 crore for the scheme, which is scheduled to run from the financial year 2025-26 until 2029-30.
Social Impact and Implementation
The policy document states that the scheme aims to promote social security and gender equity. Its objectives are multifaceted: supporting women in marriage, actively encouraging widow remarriage, and helping prevent child marriages through targeted financial aid. The government believes this approach will reduce financial vulnerability and empower beneficiaries with dignity and choice.
For implementation, the government will collaborate with experienced and credible agencies such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations. These agencies will be responsible for identifying potential beneficiaries, verifying their documents, and submitting the cases to the district-level committee—originally constituted under the Subhadra scheme—for final approval. These agencies will also facilitate the organization of mass marriage ceremonies.
Activists Hail a Progressive Step
Women's rights activists in Odisha have welcomed the scheme, believing it could transform the landscape of widow remarriage in the state. Pramila Swain, the secretary of the National Alliance of Women's Organisations, stated that government promotion of widow remarriage will help eradicate the deep-rooted social stigma associated with it.
"Be it the tribal society or any other community, remarrying widows is still considered a taboo," Swain noted. "It is happening in a few places, but when the government starts promoting it, there will be larger acceptance." This endorsement highlights the potential of the MKBY scheme to drive meaningful social change alongside providing crucial economic support.
