Bhubaneswar, 08 January (H.S.): In a significant step towards strengthening welfare support for eligible brides, the Women & Child Development Department on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Utkalika—Odisha State Cooperative Handicrafts Corporation, under the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department—for the supply of gift items under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana.

The MoU was signed at the conference hall of the Women & Child Development Department in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said that under the agreement, Utkalika will provide a range of gift items to eligible beneficiaries of the scheme. These will include sarees, bangles, anklets, earrings, alta, sindoor and other traditional adornments, along with household utility items such as utensils and cushions.

Smt. Parida stated that the collaboration will ensure timely and effective delivery of benefits under women-centric welfare schemes to all eligible beneficiaries. She also said that the initiative will give a boost to Odisha’s handicrafts and handloom sectors, thereby supporting local artisans and strengthening their livelihoods.

The programme was attended by Principal Secretary, Women & Child Development Department, Shubha Sharma; Director of the department, Monisha Banerjee; Director, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, Nivedita Prusti; Additional Secretary Shri Pratap Hota, along with several senior officials from both departments.

The MoU was formally signed by Additional Secretary, Women & Child Development Department, Smt. Sumitra Pattnaik, and Managing Director of Utkalika, Mamata Nayak.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda