'First I refused to undergo the test but an officer told me that I would be allowed inside the 'mandap' (place where Hindu marriages are solemnised) only after I am found eligible (virgin and not pregnant),' a 20-year-old woman told activists who toured the area after the incident.

Sachin Jain of the Right to Food campaign working for the cause of tribals in many parts of the state told IANS: 'There are better and more discreet ways of doing this. These tests are an insult to womanhood and it shows how the state machinery violates the human rights and dignity and privacy of women.'

'The officials should know that in many tribal communities there is a culture of boys and girls living together before they decide to marry,' Jain said.

'It is yet another instance of insensitive behaviour of the grassroots bureaucracy of the state, which stands third among all states of the country, in violation of tribal rights,' Jain added.

Amita Chapra, member of the State Women Commission, told IANS: 'The local Bega tribals were furious. Even if assuming that some are misusing the scheme, it does not mean that others can be subjected to humiliation.'

Chapra said that the commission would take up the matter with the chief minister.

Shahdol collector Neeraj Debe told IANS: 'I have asked my subordinates and district medical authorities to look into reported incidents of virginity and pregnancy tests and action will be taken against those found guilty.'

The state government has allotted Rs.25 crore in the budget for the Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana. The government has also increased the scheme's grant amount payable to a girl after marriage from Rs.5,000 to Rs.6,500 from January 2009. As per the state's Economic Survey (2008-09)- 88,460 marriages were solemnised from April 2006 to March 2009.

(Sanjay Sharma can be contacted at sanjay.s@ians.in)