Pune Collector Urges Strict Measures to Prevent Child Marriages on Akshaya Tritiya
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 29th April 2025: District Collector Jitendra Dudi has called for coordinated action by all concerned agencies to prevent child marriages during mass wedding ceremonies scheduled on Akshaya Tritiya (April 30). He emphasized that the minimum legal age — 18 years for brides and 21 years for grooms — must be strictly verified at all such events.
The directive follows an online meeting convened by Minister of State for Women and Child Development Meghana Bordikar-Sakore, aimed at strengthening preventive mechanisms in view of the increased risk of child marriages during this auspicious occasion.
Collector Dudi stated that school management committees must flag dropout cases, especially among adolescent girls, as these are considered high-risk for early marriages. He urged school principals and teachers to remain vigilant and ensure that such girls do not become victims of child marriage.
“All stakeholders — including Child Marriage Prohibition Officers, Child Development Project Officers, Gram Sevaks, Police Patils, Sarpanchs, Anganwadi Sevikas, ASHA workers, and Gram Bal Sanrakshan Samitis — must actively prevent any instances of underage marriages in their jurisdictions,” the collector said in a press release.
He further warned that disciplinary action would be initiated against officials and employees who fail to act or show negligence in preventing child marriages.
Additionally, professionals associated with marriage ceremonies — including priests, marriage hall managers, band and catering teams, and hotel operators — have been urged to verify the age of the couples and ensure compliance with the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006.
“Vigilance must be exercised at every level to ensure that no child marriage takes place in our villages or towns during Akshaya Tritiya,” Dudi asserted.
