Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Dec 5: “Mass weddings will be held on April 26, 2020, across important temples coming under religious endowment department,” said Dakshina Kannada district in-charge and state Muzrai minister Kota Srinivas Poojary. He made the statement while delivering his presidential address after chairing a meeting with presidents of various management committees of 'A' level temples in Udupi.
“Mass weddings will be held at 110 temples that generate good income. There is no discrimination between APL and BPL cardholders. The groom will be given Rs 5,000 for wedding clothes and the bride will get Rs 10,000 for wedding clothes and Rs 40,000 for jewellery. The amount will be credited to the accounts of bride and groom on the wedding day. The concerned temples will bear the cost of food and other expenditure for guests,” he said.
“March 27 will be the last day to register names in the concerned temples and the details will be announced in the temples on April 1. Objections if any can be submitted by April 6. The final list will be announced by April 11,” he said.
“The scheme is applicable for those who are getting married for the first time. It is mandatory that the bride and groom should be of marriageable age. The marriage will be registered on the spot and a bond will be issued by the Department of Women and Child Welfare. Important private organisations in the state are allowed to distribute free gifts.”
“Udupi Pejawar Math seer Sri Vishweshwa Theertha swamiji, Dr Veerendra Heggade, Ravishanker Guruji, Sudha Murthy, Veerashiva Math heads, Vokkaliga gurus and other important gurus will be present,” he said.
“A toll free number will be announced soon, where people can get information. The number will be active from 10 am to 6 pm. Mass weddings will be held on May 24 in those temples where weddings cannot be held on April 26. Meetings will be held with concerned temple heads, district-in-charge ministers, MPs, MLAs, elected representatives and officials to obtain opinions and guidance to make the programme a success,” he said.
Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat, DC G Jagadeesh, additional DC Sadashiva Prabhu, Kundapur sub divisional officer Raju, all taluk tahsildars, trustees of various temples, executives and religious endowment department officials were present.