Says, 2,076 Child Marriage Prohibition Officers Appointed to Strengthen Prevention Mechanism
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Under the dynamic leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Govt is working with firm resolve to eradicate the social evil of child marriage from the state. This was stated by Punjab’s Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur.
Sharing details, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that from January 2024 till date, 111 cases of child marriage have been successfully prevented in Punjab, reflecting the Mann Government’s strong commitment towards safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring a secure and dignified future for them.
Providing district-wise details, Social Security Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that 5 cases were prevented in Amritsar, 1 in Barnala, 9 in Bathinda, 4 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 4 in Ferozepur, 18 in Fazilka, 3 in Faridkot, 8 in Gurdaspur, 1 in Hoshiarpur, 2 in Jalandhar, 3 in Ludhiana, 5 in Kapurthala, 8 in Mansa, 12 in Moga, 5 in Sri Muktsar Sahib, 4 in Patiala, 2 in Pathankot, 1 in Rupnagar, 1 in Sangrur, 4 in SAS Nagar (Mohali), 5 in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and 6 cases in Tarn Taran.
The Cabinet Minister emphasized that securing the future of children is the highest priority of the Mann Government, and strict as well as sensitive action is being taken against child marriage to protect children from physical, emotional and social harm.
She further informed that to strengthen the child marriage prevention framework, the Punjab Government has appointed 2,076 Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) across the state. These include Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) of the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department and Principals of Senior Secondary Schools.
Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that child marriage is not merely a violation of law, but a direct assault on children’s dreams, education and health. Every prevented child marriage gives a child—especially a girl—an opportunity to complete her education, build her identity and move towards a self-reliant life. She added that the Mann Government envisions a Punjab where every child enjoys a fearless, safe and dignified childhood, and the government will continue to work with unwavering determination in partnership with all sections of society to achieve this goal.
Highlighting the importance of public cooperation, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that people’s participation is essential to eradicate any social evil, as no movement can succeed without collective support. She appealed to citizens that if they receive any information regarding child marriage in their surroundings, they should immediately inform the Child Helpline number 1098 or contact the nearest Child Marriage Prohibition Officer.