BJP Leaders Misuse ‘Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivaah Yojana’ for Daughters’ Marriage in Bareilly

Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government's Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivaah Yojana (mass marriage scheme) has been mired in controversy again. This time because of two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. The two leaders have landed in controversy for marrying their daughters in the chief minister’s mass marriage scheme which was held on October 18 in Bareilly.

To receive benefits including cash from the scheme, the BJP divisional head Ram Nivas Maurya and another leader Bebi Singh registered their daughters for the marriage ceremony in Bareilly’s Aonla town. During the ceremony, state irrigation minister Dharmpal Singh, sub-divisional magistrate Vishu Raja and Aonla Nagar Palika Chairman Sanjeev Saxena were also present.

The issue came to light on Wednesday, after local opposition leaders raised this issue with the chief development officer (CDO) Satyendra Kumar. Following this, Kumar has set up an inquiry. Meanwhile, the administration has also stopped the clearance of cheques that were supposed to be distributed to the beneficiaries.

'Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivaah Yojana’ is only for women from economically weaker sections of the society. Under this scheme, the government deposits Rs. 20,000 in the woman's account and spends an additional sum of Rs. 10,000 on gifts. If the woman is a widow or a divorcee, Rs. 25,000 is deposited in her account, while Rs. 5,000 is spent on household items for her. To avail the facilities of this scheme, one should be a resident of Uttar Pradesh and belonging from the below poverty line (BPL) category.

Speaking with Newsclick, Samajwadi Party (SP) district president, Subhlesh Yadav said, "The mass marriage was held in Aonla municipality where BJP leaders’ daughters tied the knot as well. This is a mockery of not just the scheme but also of those people who are supposed to benefit from the scheme. BJP leaders are favouring their own people over the people who are actually deserving. We demand an investigation in this scam and there should be action against those in the administration who are responsible for this."