REPORTS OF CHILD MARRIAGES
LOK SABHA
The Government
does not maintain data on child marriages as the Child Marriage
Restraint Act, 1929 is being administered and implemented by the
State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. However, cases
of child marriage in some States have come to the notice of the
Government. The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 was amended
in 1978. As per the amended Act, the minimum age for marriage
was fixed at 21 years for the boys and 18 years for girls and
offences under the Act were made cognizable. However, the provisions
of the Act are intended to restrain and not to invalidate such
marriages.
It is true that
a large number of child marriages are taking place in the country.
The child marriage is an old social evil which cannot be eradicated
by legislative and administrative steps alone. Active co-operation
of the voluntary organizations (NGOs) and the society as a whole
is required to eradicate this social evil through awareness, publicity
and pro-active action.
This information
was given by the Union Minister of Law and Justice, Shri K. Jana
Krishnamurthi in a written reply to a question from Shri Dalpat
Singh Parste in the Lok Sabha today.
