Raipur: The Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana, a flagship scheme of the Chhattisgarh government that provides financial support for weddings of women from poor and economically backward families, has come under a cloud of controversy. Several newlywed brides complained about the quality of mangalsutras (wedding necklaces) allegedly distributed at a mass wedding ceremony held under the scheme.
Complaints Lead to Scrutiny
The complaints prompted an investigation into the supplied items. The Women and Child Development Department issued a detailed clarification, stating that silver mangalsutras were not promised under the scheme and that no financial irregularity was reported.
Mass Wedding Programme Details
The controversy erupted after a mass marriage programme on February 10 at Khadgawan in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district. A total of 184 couples were married under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana in the presence of MLAs and Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal.
Brides Report Discoloration
Several brides later complained that the mangalsutras distributed during the ceremony lost their shine and became discolored within weeks. This led to allegations that the jewellery, claimed to be silver, was actually made of cheaper metals.
Opposition Reacts
The issue escalated after some women had the ornaments tested by local jewellers, who reportedly confirmed they were not silver. The opposition Congress party seized on the allegations, accusing the BJP government of cheating poor women under a welfare scheme.
Government Clarification
Amid the uproar, the Women and Child Development Department asserted that the scheme does not mandate the distribution of silver mangalsutras. According to the department, revised guidelines issued in March 2024 allocate Rs 50,000 per beneficiary. Of this, Rs 35,000 is transferred directly to the bride's bank account. Another Rs 8,000 is spent on the wedding ceremony and logistics, while Rs 7,000 is allocated for clothing, cosmetics, footwear, mangalsutra, and other gift items for the couple.
Earlier Order Withdrawn
Officials further pointed out that the requirement to provide a silver mangalsutra had been withdrawn by the state government through an order issued in January 2013. The department said social media posts and complaints alleging that brides were promised silver mangalsutras were factually incorrect.
Internal Scrutiny Findings
The clarification also revealed that an internal scrutiny found some of the supplied cosmetic and gift items did not fully match prescribed quality standards. As a result, payment to the supplier was reduced by Rs 1,000 per couple, and a total recovery of Rs 3.6 lakh was made. This amount has since been deposited into the bank accounts of beneficiaries, officials said.
Authorities Deny Irregularities
Authorities maintained that the mass wedding programme for all 184 couples was conducted in accordance with government norms and denied any irregularity in the implementation of the scheme.
Affected Women Demand Transparency
However, affected women continue to question the quality of the jewellery distributed and insist they were led to believe the ornaments carried significantly higher value than what they eventually received. The controversy has triggered demands for greater transparency in procurement and quality checks under welfare schemes meant for economically weaker families.
Minister's Response
Health Minister Jaiswal said complaints regarding the wedding necklaces had reached him and that the procurement and distribution process would be examined impartially.
