Mumbai, June 24: Maharashtra’s Minister for Women and Child Development, Aditi Tatkare, announced in the Assembly that the state government is taking essential and effective measures to combat child marriage. The government’s goal is to reduce the child marriage rate in the state to below 10% within the next five years. This topic was raised by Atul Bhatkalkar, with Nana Patole participating in the discussion.
The minister highlighted that according to the National Family Health Survey (2019-21), the national child marriage rate was 23.3%, while Maharashtra’s rate stood at 21.9%. She noted that a recent survey conducted in selected districts for 2023-24 indicated a decrease in the national average child marriage rate to 20.1%, with Maharashtra’s rate dropping to 19.7%.
Detailing the efforts to prevent child marriage in Maharashtra, the minister reported that 187 cases were prevented in 2018-19, 240 in 2019-20, 519 in 2020-21, 831 in 2021-22, and 930 in 2022-23. Additionally, 81 FIRs were registered in the year 2022-23.
For the current year, 1,434 child marriages have already been stopped, with cases filed against the offenders. The minister stated that actions taken by local administration are being made more effective, and the rate of crime registration has increased. District task forces, village security committees, and systems at the tehsil and gram panchayat levels are actively working, with ongoing efforts to strengthen these initiatives.
She emphasized that actions are also being taken against both families involved in child marriages, as well as individuals and supportive villagers, making prevention efforts significantly effective.
Furthermore, the minister mentioned that the government will study the initiative by the Rajasthan government to include the birth dates of brides and grooms on wedding invitations. Discussions will be held with the Rural Development Department, Law Department, and other relevant departments to determine if such a system can be implemented in Maharashtra.
In addition, priority is being given to reaching out to migrant workers and providing childcare centers and homes for their children.
–IAMS
AMT/DKP
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