Officials work overtime to meet mass marriage target

Bhopal: It's not just bankers who work overtime when March 31 approaches. Panchayat office bearers in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh organized mass marriage of 197 couples to achieve the target under Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojana. The marriages took place on March 26 this year.
As these marriages were not solemnised on auspicious dates, many of the beneficiaries plan to 'remarry' next month.
However Dhananjay Mishra, CEO of district panchayat told TOI, "There are no targets. Budget too is not a problem. We always have funds for destitute. We can always use this fund for marriages under the scheme."
When asked to react why these marriages were organised in haste, he said, "There are no auspicious dates for the poor. When their daughter attains marriageable age, parents are a worried lot in India. Even neighbours keep reminding them that your daughter has grown up," the CEO told TOI over phone. The 197 couples include brides and grooms from all religions. Some of them were even differently-abled people, he said.
On March 26, Ajmer Singh got married to Radhe. He said, "This is not the right time for Hindu marriages. Next month, I will get married again when there is a better mahurat."
Similarly, Surendra Singh of Siroli village also plans to get remarried next month.
In 2012, the state government increased the cash incentive of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 under the Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojna. Besides, the government also provides some household items including utensils. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the state-wide programme in April 2006 holding mass marriages.