Five years after the Central Government Act was passed, the state government has finally framed rules for the prohibition of child marriages in Andhra Pradesh, where its incidence is second only to Gujarat. Under the Act, a male adult above 18 years of age, who marries a child, shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment extending to two years or with a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh or both.
Whoever performs, conducts, directs or abets a child marriage, including parents or an organisation will also face similar punishment.
Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) will now keep a vigilant eye on major festivals and auspicious occasions, such as Akshaya Trithiya, Mahasivarathri, Birappa Panduga, Sammakka Sarakka Jatra, Sravana and Magha masam (Kalyanamastu programmes) where mass solemnisation of child marriages takes place, particularly in Medak, Kurnool, Warangal, Karimnagar and other districts.
“This is the first time the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition of Child Marriages Rules, 2012, have been framed in coordination with the home department after the Central act came into vogue in 2007,” Ms Sunita Laxma Reddy, minister for women’s development and child welfare, told Deccan Chronicle.
“And they apply to everyone, Indian citizens, foreigners, resident or visiting and their families, enforcement agencies and government. Our approach will focus on counselling first, punishment next. Many parents we counselled feigned ignorance of the law. After propagation of the rules, we will act strongly,” Ms Reddy said.
A six-tier system of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) is being set up from the district down to the village level to effect implementation of the act.
The CMPOs, who are vested with powers of a police officer and can enlist local police assistance, will be expected to rush to the spot upon being tipped off and book cases.
Village Child Marriage prohibition and monitoring committees will be constituted, with the gram panchayat sarpanch as chairman, an anganwadi worker as convener and 10 members.
A survey in Adoni division of Kurnool district last year found 50 per cent of girls dropping out after primary school and 80 per cent married between 14 and 16 years of age. In a single year, 1400 cases of child marriages were identified, including 132 in Yemmiganur Mandal.