ASR District (Paderu), March 11: Speaking at a Child Marriage Awareness Paderu programme held in Onuru and Nandigaruvu villages of Paderu mandal, ITDA In-charge Project Officer M. Venkateswara Rao warned that conducting or encouraging child marriages would attract strict punishment under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
https://stopchildmarriage.wcd.gov.in/
He explained that marriages conducted before the age of 18 for girls and 21 for boys can cause serious physical and mental health problems, and are also one of the major causes of maternal and infant mortality.
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Venkateswara Rao urged parents, especially in tribal areas, to give priority to education and awareness instead of arranging marriages for children at a young age. He advised them to utilize the various government welfare schemes to provide better education and opportunities for their children.
He also appealed to villagers to immediately inform Anganwadi workers, village secretariat staff, or the Child Helpline number 1098 if they notice any attempts to conduct child marriages.
Before attending the awareness programme, the officer visited schools and Anganwadi centres in Onuru and Nandigaruvu villages. He reviewed the midday meal programme, school facilities, and ration rice distribution while interacting with teachers and villagers.
He also inquired about the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission and PM Janman housing works in the village. Villagers informed him that Nandigaruvu lacks proper school and Anganwadi buildings, and requested the authorities to construct them for the benefit of children from nearby villages.
As part of the programme, members of the SIT organisation conducted an awareness campaign through a special vehicle highlighting the harmful effects of child marriages.
The programme was attended by MPDO Rajaratnam, Dr. Manish, Deputy MPDO Ramesh, MEO B. Viswanatham, EPIU Ravi Kumar, CDPO G. Sarada Devi, the village Sarpanch, CHO Chandrakala, ICDS Supervisor Kondamma, along with officials, Anganwadi staff, women’s groups, and villagers.
