Will Karnataka Govt Pay Women To Marry Young Farmers?

Last Updated:February 19, 2026, 17:04 IST

Congress MLA HD Ranganath has urged Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to introduce incentives for brides of farmers in Kunigal, sparking debate on rural marriage challenges

In a move aimed at addressing the growing marriage challenges faced by young farmers, Congress MLA HD Ranganath wrote o Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking the introduction of a special incentive programme.

In a letter dated February 18, the Kunigal MLA urged the government to take up the matter in the forthcoming Assembly session. According to PTI, Ranganath said his constituency, Kunigal Taluk, is “mostly rural and depends heavily on farming". He noted that many young men continue to live in villages and earn their livelihood through agriculture, but “many women are not willing to marry them".

The MLA pointed out that several men remain unmarried even after turning 30 and are facing difficulties because of this social trend. Highlighting what he described as an urgent concern in rural areas, he wrote, “So, I request that in the next session, a special allowance and special status be given to women who marry men living in villages and working in agriculture."

Ranganath believes such a measure would help resolve the problems faced by young farmers in rural areas and encourage greater support for farming livelihoods. He has called for a structured discussion in the Assembly and the formulation of a policy at the earliest.

The proposal has triggered debate across Karnataka’s rural belt. While many see it as a positive intervention to strengthen agriculture socially and encourage young farmers, others are examining it from the perspective of social balance and economic feasibility.

There has been no official response yet from the Chief Minister’s office.

The challenge of delayed marriages among young men in agrarian communities has persisted for years in parts of the state. Whether financial incentives can reshape social attitudes remains to be seen, but the debate has once again brought the realities of rural life and agriculture into sharp focus.

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