Rajasthan
Child Marriages in Rajasthan
- 04 May 2024
- 2 min read
Why in News?
The Rajasthan High Court directed the state government to ensure that no child marriages are solemnised in the state and that village heads and panchayat members would be held accountable if such marriages happened.
Key Points
- The court's order came ahead of the Akshay Tritiya festival on 10th May 2024, as several child marriages were solemnised on Akshay Tritiya in Rajasthan.
- The court, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Just Rights for Children Alliance seeking the court's intervention to prevent child marriages, noted that despite the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, child marriages are still taking place in the state.
- Under Section 11 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, Sarpanch and Panch will be held responsible if they negligently fail to prevent child marriages from being solemnised.
- As per Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules 1996, a duty is cast upon Sarpanch to restrict child marriages.
Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
- This Act replaced the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 which was enacted during the British era.
- It defines a child to mean a male below 21 years and female below 18 years.
Related Initiatives:
- Dhanalakshmi Scheme: It is a conditional cash transfer scheme for a girl child with insurance coverage.
- It also aims to eliminate child marriage by offering parents insurance coverage of medical expenses and encouraging the education of the girl child.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): It aims to empower girls through education, health and protection, and discourage child marriage.
