Vizag Cracks Down on Child Marriages Ahead of Akshaya Tritiya
The Visakhapatnam district administration has launched a special enforcement and awareness drive to prevent child marriages ahead of Akshaya Tritiya, a festival period during which such cases are sometimes reported.
The initiative, taken up under the directions of the District Collector, is being implemented by the Women and Child Welfare Department as part of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
Awareness programmes were conducted for priests, temple staff, and function hall operators at Shankara Matham, Lalitha Devi Temple, marriage halls in Akkayyapalem, and other locations. Project Director K.V. Ramalakshmi supervised the campaign, while District Child Protection Officer K. Hari Krishna explained the legal consequences of child marriage and its impact on children’s education, health, and future.
Pamphlets were distributed, and anti-child marriage posters were displayed in public places.
Special monitoring teams from the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and Child Helpline 1098 have been deployed. Field inspections will be held on April 18 and 19 in Pedagantyada, Gajuwaka, and Bheemili. Continuous checks are also underway at Simhachalam Temple, nearby kalyana mandapams, and surrounding venues.
Officials said age-proof documents, including birth certificates and SSC certificates, would be verified before marriages proceed. The legal minimum age for marriage is 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys.
Authorities warned that priests, parents, relatives, organisers, and function hall managers facilitating child marriages could face up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
Residents were urged to report suspected cases through Child Helpline 1098 or local officials, with confidentiality assured.