'Create awareness on child marriage in tribal hamlets'

The officials of Women and Child Welfare Department should create awareness about child marriage in order to prevent their incidence in tribal hamlets in the district, said Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy.

Chairing the district-level coordination and monitoring committee meeting held at DC’s office here, on Wednesday, she insisted on conducting exclusive Gram Sabha for women and children in the gram panchayats.

Awareness should be created on the facilities being provided by the government for child education among the needy families. The parents should be sensitised on the ill-effects of child marriage and should be encouraged to provide education to their wards, she added.

The deputy commissioner said that the anganwadi supervisors and Asha workers should join hands with the administration to stop the evil practice of child marriage.

“FIR should be registered in child marriage cases. Stern action should be initiated against the accused, without succumbing to influences,” Annies said.

Advocate Meena Kumari pointed out that if an FIR is registered in a child marriage case, there is a need to attend courtroom inquiries. Hence, very few cases of child marriage are registered.

Women and Child Welfare Department Deputy Director Arundhati said that two cases of child marriages had been registered during the year.

District Child Protection Officer Mumtaz said that awareness was being created on the ill effects of child marriages in schools and colleges.

The deputy commissioner also instructed the officials concerned to educate people on Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana scheme. Necessary measures should be taken to provide Aadhaar card to the eligible so that it helps the people to avail the benefit of government schemes.

Annies, meanwhile, sought information on the nutritional food being provided to the beneficiaries of Matru Vandana scheme.

She directed officials to take measures to prevent domestic violence against women.

Superintendent of Police Dr Suman D Pennekar, Zilla Panchayat CEO K Lakshmi Priya, District Social Welfare Officer Bharati and CMC Commissioner M L Ramesh were present.