DC expresses concern over high rate of child marriages in Mandya district

Deputy Commissioner Kumar expressed concern over high rate of child marriages in the district and said that 57 child marriages were reported in 2024-25.

Speaking at a review meeting in Mandya on Monday, Mr. Kumar said that the local officials should have identified and prevented child marriages.

He instructed that notices be issued to officials and seek an explanation from them.

The Deputy Commissioner said it was incomprehensible as to how child marriages in rural hinterland can escape the attention of ASHA and Anganwadi workers, headmasters of local schools, and the PDOs. If a girl in a high school is absent for more than three days, an inquiry is to be held to ascertain the reason, he added.

Dr. Kumar said continued occurrence of child marriages indicate a failure in planning and called for studies to be conducted in to the social scourge so as to arrive at a solution.

In most of the 57 child marriage cases reported, the victims were students of government schools. “It must be understood that child marriage robs a girl of her right to education,” he added.

Dr. Kumar instructed Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) to coordinate with local education officers and immediately investigate any drop in attendance among high school girls. He also urged them to direct Anganwadi workers in their jurisdiction to be more proactive in their duties.

The officials were also instructed to create awareness in villages of the negative impact of child marriages and the imperatives of educating girl child.

Rajamurthy, Deputy Director of the Department of Women and Child Development; Gangadhar Swamy, Additional Superintendent of Police; Rashmi, Child Protection Officer; and others were present.

Published - June 10, 2025 08:02 pm IST