Odisha Government Aims for Dowry-Free State, Says Parida

Odisha minister Parida told reporters that the state administration has launched a focused campaign to make Odisha a dowry-free society. The initiative includes stricter enforcement of existing anti-dowry laws, awareness drives in rural and urban areas, and incentives for families that reject dowry demands.

According to Parida, coordination between the women’s welfare department, law enforcement agencies, and local NGOs will be intensified to monitor and penalise violations. Training programs for community leaders and marriage registrars are also planned to ensure that dowry negotiations are discouraged at the earliest stage.

The minister emphasized that eradicating dowry is essential for women's safety and empowerment, and that the government will allocate additional resources to support victims and promote gender‑equitable marriage practices across the state.