The Fact News Service
Chandigarh, July 16
As part of the ongoing efforts under the Punjab Government’s campaign to prevent child marriages, two such cases were successfully averted recently in Gurdaspur district.
Sharing this information, Punjab Cabinet Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that swift and coordinated action by the district administration, police department, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), village-level Child Welfare Committees, and Child Helpline teams led to the prevention of two child marriages in villages Sahane Chak (Block Kalanaur) and Gandhian Paniar (Block Gurdaspur).
Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, it is a punishable offence to marry a girl below the age of 18 or a boy below the age of 21. Upon receiving information about the planned weddings, immediate intervention was carried out. Both families were counselled in detail about the legal implications and the harmful effects of child marriage on children’s health, education, and future.
The Cabinet Minister further stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is making sustained efforts to make the state free from child marriages. She added that consistent awareness campaigns are being conducted to eradicate such incidents from the root, and with public cooperation, Punjab will become a progressive state that ensures a safe and promising future for its children.
The families assured officials of their cooperation and agreed to postpone the weddings until the legal age is reached. The villagers and families were also informed about the Child Helpline number 1098 for reporting such incidents in the future.
Dr. Baljit Kaur urged the public to remain vigilant and to immediately report any information about child marriages to the Child Helpline 1098 or the nearest police station. She also assured that the identity of the informant will be kept strictly confidential.
