Families living in the rural pockets of Azamgarh district are set to get relief from the heavy cost of booking hotels, lawns or guest houses for weddings and other family functions. The Panchayati Raj Department has decided to build modern celebration halls, known as Utsav Bhavans, right in the villages, which any rural family will be able to use for a nominal fee.
Big relief for poor and middle class rural households
For poor and middle class families in the countryside, finding an affordable venue for a big family event has always been the toughest part. Whether in the city or the village, the moment the wedding season begins, guest houses and marriage lawns get booked out fast and their rents shoot up sharply. That is exactly why the government has now planned to give rural residents an affordable, convenient venue close to home.
One hall in every assembly seat, at a cost of Rs 14.10 crore
Under the Panchayati Raj Department's plan, one modern Utsav Bhavan will be built in each of Azamgarh district's 10 assembly constituencies. Constructing all these halls will cost a total of Rs 14.10 crore, and the money will be spent across the selected gram panchayats of the district. The department's aim is to make sure villagers no longer have to depend on distant towns or expensive venues for their weddings.
Social and cultural events will be held too, not just weddings
These Utsav Bhavans are not being built only for weddings. They will also host social, cultural and public events. Each hall will have a separate arrangement for the wedding party, known as the baraat, to stay, a kitchen for cooking food, and essential facilities such as water, toilets, electricity and parking. In effect, a family will be able to meet almost every requirement of an event under a single roof.
Work has begun in two panchayats, selection pending elsewhere
District Panchayati Raj Officer Pawan Kumar said the state government has already issued instructions to build Utsav Bhavans in all 10 assembly constituencies of the district. Following this instruction, two gram panchayats have currently been selected and construction work is underway there. In the remaining eight assembly constituencies, the gram panchayat where the hall will come up is yet to be finalised, meaning the panchayat and site selection will happen in the coming days.
