A major controversy has erupted in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district after mangalsutras distributed to newly married women under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana allegedly turned black within weeks of a mass wedding ceremony.
The affected brides claim they were assured pure silver ornaments worth ₹15,000 each but were allegedly given cheap jewellery made from fake metal alloys.
The incident has triggered protests over alleged corruption, procurement irregularities and misuse of public funds.
Mass Wedding Held Under State Welfare Scheme
The controversy is linked to a mass wedding ceremony held on February 10 at the Mahamaya Temple complex in Chanwaridand, Khadgawan.
Around 180 economically underprivileged couples were married during the event under the state-sponsored welfare scheme.
The programme was attended by senior dignitaries and public representatives.
Mangalsutras Allegedly Turned Black Within Weeks
Initially, the beneficiaries did not suspect anything unusual.
However, within a few weeks of the ceremony, several women noticed that the silver-like shine of their mangalsutras began fading rapidly.
The ornaments allegedly developed an oxidised black finish, raising suspicion among the brides and their families.
Local Jewellers Reportedly Find Base-Metal Alloy
Five affected brides reportedly took their mangalsutras to local jewellers for testing.
According to the report, the evaluation found that the ornaments did not contain precious silver. Instead, they were allegedly made from a cheaper base-metal alloy mixture of copper, zinc and nickel, commonly known in secondary markets as “Gillet.”
The findings intensified anger among the beneficiaries, who said the ornaments had been presented as genuine silver.
Brides Protest Outside WCD Office
The affected women demonstrated outside the district office of the Women and Child Development Department.
They displayed the tarnished mangalsutras and accused procurement officials of betraying the trust of poor families.
The brides said a mangalsutra is not merely jewellery but a sacred symbol of marriage, dignity and social respect.
One affected bride, Sanjana Dayal, said they were explicitly assured that the mangalsutras were genuine silver and worth ₹15,000, but the ornaments turned black within weeks.
Opposition Alleges Corruption
As the controversy grew, opposition leaders attacked the state administration.
Congress media cell chairman Sushil Anand Shukla and former MLA Gulab Kamro accused the government machinery of hurting the religious and emotional sentiments of underprivileged tribal families.
They alleged that corrupt middlemen may have benefited from the procurement process.
WCD Department Denies Systemic Corruption
The Women and Child Development Department rejected allegations of large-scale corruption.
WCD representative Aditya Sharma said the department’s procurement records contradicted the claim that each mangalsutra was worth ₹15,000.
According to him, the department paid ₹989 for each custom-ordered mangalsutra, while the main financial benefit under the scheme was provided directly to brides through bank transfer.
₹36,000 Direct Benefit Sent to Brides
As per the department’s explanation, a direct cash benefit of ₹36,000 was deposited into the brides’ bank accounts through RTGS.
Officials said the scheme prioritises direct financial assistance rather than spending large amounts on physical jewellery.
However, the public anger has continued because beneficiaries say the quality and representation of the ornaments still need investigation.
Minister Promises Transparent Inquiry
Chhattisgarh Health Minister and local MLA Shyam Bihari Jaiswal acknowledged the public outrage.
He promised a transparent and impartial inquiry into the procurement and quality-testing process.
The inquiry is expected to examine how the ornaments were sourced, whether quality checks were conducted, and whether beneficiaries were misled about their material value.
Why Welfare Procurement Needs Strong Checks
The controversy highlights the need for transparent procurement, verified quality checks and proper financial review in welfare schemes.
When public funds are used for vulnerable communities, even small procurement failures can damage public trust. Professional auditing services in india can help institutions review spending, verify vendor records, assess procurement compliance and detect irregularities before they become public scandals.
Shunyatax Global Insight
At Shunyatax Global, we believe welfare schemes must be protected through transparency, accountability and proper documentation. Public trust depends on strong checks at every stage, from procurement to beneficiary delivery.
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