Mumbai, June 23 (IANS) Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare on Wednesday told the State Assembly that the state government is implementing necessary actions and effective measures to prevent child marriage in the state.

The target is to bring the rate of child marriage below 10 per cent in the next five years.

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar raised a query on this subject and Congress member Nana Patole participated in the discussion.

Minister Tatkare said that according to the National Family Health Survey, the rate of child marriage in the country between 2019 and 2021 was 23.3 per cent, while in Maharashtra, it was 21.9 per cent.

“In a survey of selected districts in 2023-24, the national average dropped to 20.1 per cent. In Maharashtra, the rate of child marriage decreased to 19.7 per cent.”

Providing details on the actions taken to prevent child marriage in Maharashtra, Minister Aditi Tatkare said that 187 child marriages were prevented in 2018-19, 240 in 2019-20, 519 in 2020-21, 831 in 2021-22, and 930 in 2022-23.

“In 2022-23, 81 FIRs were registered. Furthermore, 1,253 child marriages were prevented in 2023-24, and 1,495 in 2024-25. In the current year, 1,434 child marriages have been prevented so far, and cases have been registered against the perpetrators,” the Minister added.

Minister Tatkare mentioned that local administration actions are being made more effective to stop child marriage, and the rate of registering offences has also increased.

A District Action Task Force under the chairmanship of the District Collector, a Village Protection Cell, and machinery at the Taluka and Gram Panchayat levels are operational in the state.

Efforts are underway to strengthen them further.

Since cases are being filed against both families involved in the child marriage, the concerned individuals, and the participating villagers, the preventive action is proving to be highly effective.

Minister Tatkare also said that the initiative taken by the Rajasthan government to mention the birth dates of the bride and groom on wedding invitation cards will be studied.

A necessary decision will be made regarding whether a similar provision can be implemented in Maharashtra, in coordination with the Rural Development Department, Law Department, and other concerned departments.

“Additionally, priority is being given to reaching out to migrant workers and providing childcare centres and children’s homes for their sons and daughters,” she added.

–IANS

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