Jaunpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 18 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said that 4 lakh daughters have been married under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, adding that no daughter should remain unmarried and that the state government will support families to achieve this.

Participating in the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana event in Jaunpur, CM Yogi said, 'I am happy that the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana is a successful scheme. When we launched this scheme, people used to laugh and say this scheme is an insult to the poor. When we enter 2025, I am happy to tell you that 4 lakh daughters have been married under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana till March 2025. No daughter should remain unmarried. Beti ka kanyadaan humlog (government) karenge. We will stand with families as a support,' CM Yogi said.

The Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana was launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in October 2017.

The Chief Minister also announced that INR 1 lakh each will be provided as financial assistance to all brides under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana and said that the mass marriage programme contributes to the vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

'I congratulate the couples and the families. I have got an opportunity to join this. In the state, 1 crore 86 lakh people connected under the Ujjwala Yojana have been given free cylinders. There is a limit to development. This is required. The double-engine government is working towards it,' CM Yogi added.

The UP CM said that the state government's goal is to raise the standard of living for those living below the poverty line.

'In the next financial year starting April, we will give INR 1 lakh each as financial assistance to all brides under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana. Academically gifted girl students will be given scooties. To achieve our goal of zero poverty and to raise the standard of living for those living below the poverty line, the government has decided that all poor and marginalised in the villages of the state will be provided benefits under the government schemes that have not yet reached them,' the CM said.

Chief Minister Yogi further stated that the state government is working to make Jaunpur a smart city.

'We are going to make Jaunpur a smart city. All the problems would be solved. There is no dearth of funds nowadays, but we just need to utilise them properly. The roads have become so good in Jaunpur. People of Mungra Badshahpur had requested a bypass there, and the work of land acquisition has started. The work on the NH is ongoing. Seventeen flyovers were approved for the Jaunpur area,' he said.

He also indirectly criticised the Opposition for questioning the cleanliness of the Maha Kumbh 2025, stating that they continuously relied on spreading negativity.

'The negative propaganda and misinformation that was spread had no impact on the faith of the people of the country. Your attempts to spread negativity were unsuccessful. I have said this earlier also: 'Jiski jaisi drishti waisi uski srishti'... They were finding ways to defame Prayagraj,' CM Yogi said.

Earlier today, Yogi Adityanath described the Maha Kumbh as a true representation of Sanatan Dharma, adding that it showed the country's true identity to the world.

Speaking at the 'Manthan-Mahakumbh and Beyond' program organised by Panchajanya and Organizer in Lucknow, the UP CM said, 'The Maha Kumbh is a glimpse of the true form of Sanatan Dharma. The world witnessed this glimpse with great surprise and curiosity. Uttar Pradesh had the opportunity to present its perspective to the country and the world, and through the Maha Kumbh, the true identity of India was showcased to the world. Which is Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat (One India, Best India).'

Chief Minister Yogi criticised Congress for making negative remarks about the Maha Kumbh, stating that they oppose every good initiative.

'They oppose every good work. All of them have had opportunities. The first Kumbh Mela of independent India was organised in 1954 when Congress was in power both in the state and at the centre. At that time, the scene was marked by corruption, disorder, and anarchy. More than 1,000 deaths occurred, and this happened at every Kumbh Mela thereafter. This is not hidden from anyone,' CM Yogi said.

The Maha Kumbh 2025 concluded on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri on February 26, in which more than 66 crore 21 lakh devotees participated in the holy bathing ritual at the Triveni. (ANI)