Deputy Commissioner of Chamarajanagar Shilpa Nag convened a meeting of Integrated Child Protection Scheme on Monday to review the measures taken by the administration to make the border district free of child marriage by November 14.
Ms. Nag instructed the officials to implement measures aimed at preventing child marriages more diligently. While emphasising the need for creating awareness by holding special gram sabha meetings, the Deputy Commissioner said a pledge to make the district free of child-marriage should be taken in all offices on July 21.
“Awareness programmes should be organised to achieve the target by November 14, and officials of all the departments should prioritise protection of child rights in accordance with law,” she said.
“If any student remains absent without reason for three consecutive days, teachers and officials should visit the student’s house and ascertain the reason,” she said and advised the teachers to counsel students who are continuously absent. She asked the Education Department officials to submit periodic reports about the same to the district administration.
Member of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Venkatesh said the prevention of child marriage was the responsibility of all the departments and hence posters should be displayed in front of all the offices.
He suggested that display of such messages at religious and tourist places in the district would help create awareness. He also suggested that Women’s Self Help Groups from National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), anganwadi workers, and health workers should be involved to educate people.
Senior judge and member-secretary of the District Legal Services Authority Eshwar said children rescued form child labour should be dealt in accordance with the rules, and facilities that are beneficial to their future should be ensured.
Chief Executive Officer Mona Roat, Superintendent of Police B.T. Kavitha, and senior officials from the Department of Women and Child Development, School Education Department, Child Welfare Committee, and Juvenile Justice Board were present.