DC Dr. Kumara expresses concern over high rate of child marriages at review meeting

Mandya: Stating that as many as 57 child marriages were reported from the district in 2024-25, Mandya Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr. Kumara expressed concern over the high rate of child marriages in the district. Speaking at a review meeting at his Office in Mandya yesterday, Dr. Kumara said that local officials should have discovered and prevented child marriages.

Noting that it was incomprehensible as to how child marriages in the rural hinterland could escape the attention of ASHA and Anganwadi workers, Head Masters of local schools and the PDOs, he said if a girl in a High School is absent for more than three days, an inquiry should be held to ascertain the reason.

Pointing out that continued occurrence of child marriages indicated a failure in planning, he called for carrying out studies into the social scourge so as to arrive at a solution.

Stating that in most of the 57 child marriage cases reported, the victims were students of Government Schools , he said: “It must be understood by everyone that child marriage robs a girl of her right to education.”

The DC instructed Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) to co-ordinate with local Education Officers and immediately investigate any drop in attendance among High School girls.

Asking them to direct Anganwadi workers in their jurisdiction to be more proactive in their duties, Dr. Kumara also instructed the officials to create more awareness in villages.

Women and Child Development Deputy Director Rajamurthy, Mandya Assistant Commissioner Shivanandamurthy, Child Protection Officer Rashmi, Additional SP Gangadharaswamy and other officials were present.