Wed Jun 25 03:00:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article version of the text:
**Summary:**
Ahead of upcoming elections, the Bihar government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has approved the “Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Mandap Yojana” to construct marriage halls in every panchayat (village council) across the state. The initiative, costing ₹40.265 billion, aims to provide affordable and accessible venues for economically weaker families to conduct their daughters’ weddings. The halls will be managed by “Jeevika Didis” (women self-help groups), promoting both ease of wedding arrangements and women’s empowerment through employment. The government hopes this will improve their image ahead of elections.
**News Article:**
**Bihar Govt. Approves Marriage Halls in Every Panchayat in Pre-Election Push**
**Patna, Bihar** – In a move widely seen as a pre-election outreach, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar has approved the “Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Mandap Yojana” (Chief Minister’s Daughter Marriage Hall Scheme) to build marriage halls in every panchayat across the state. The decision, finalized in a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, aims to ease the financial burden on economically weaker families when arranging weddings for their daughters.
The ambitious project is budgeted at ₹40.265 billion (approximately $483 million USD) and will see the construction of dedicated marriage halls in all of Bihar’s panchayats. Chief Minister Kumar announced the initiative on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the halls would provide a secure, accessible, and well-equipped space for families who lack the resources to host wedding ceremonies independently.
“I am happy to announce that our government will build marriage halls in all panchayats to facilitate marriage ceremonies for daughters of poor families in rural areas of the state,” Kumar stated in his post.
In a notable step towards women’s empowerment, the operation and management of these marriage halls will be entrusted to “Jeevika Didis,” members of women’s self-help groups. This will provide them with employment opportunities and promote self-reliance, furthering the scheme’s impact beyond just wedding arrangements.
The state government believes the scheme will be a significant boon to families who struggle to afford traditional wedding venues. Critics suggest the timing of the announcement is politically motivated, as Bihar prepares for upcoming state assembly elections. Nevertheless, the government hopes this initiative will solidify its support base and improve its public image by addressing a key need within the rural population.
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