Launch of Child Marriage-Free India Campaign

Sri Ganganagar, A quarterly meeting of the District Child Protection Unit, Department of Child Rights, was held on Wednesday at the District Collectorate Hall under the chairmanship of District Collector Dr. Manju. The meeting focused on discussing issues related to child protection and their solutions.

During the meeting, the Child Marriage-Free India Campaign was officially launched. The District Collector administered a pledge to the attendees and also unveiled posters to raise awareness about children's rights. The District Collector issued instructions for action against those facilitating child marriages, including priests, tent organizers, caterers, wedding card printers, and others involved in the process. She emphasized that the child helpline number - 1098 - must be prominently displayed on all child transport vehicles, and directed the police and transport departments to ensure the safety of these vehicles.

Furthermore, the District Collector ordered strict action against drug sellers who sell banned substances to children, including filing FIRs under sections 77 and 78 of the Juvenile Justice Act. She also urged that families pushing children into begging should be counseled and efforts made to integrate the children into the education system.

On this occasion, Shri Rajeev Jakhar, Assistant Director of the Department of Child Rights, presented a report on the department's efforts related to the protection and rehabilitation of children.

The meeting was attended by Additional Superintendent of Police Mrs. Sudha Palawat, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee Shri Jogendra Kaushik, Member Dr. Ram Prakash Sharma, Deputy Labour Commissioner Shri Amar Chand Lahri, Assistant Director of the Department of Women Empowerment Shri Vijay Kumar, District Transport Officer Shri Avadhesh Choudhary, Child Helpline Coordinator Shri Trilok Verma, and other department officials.