New Child Marriage Bill not applicable to J and K

New Delhi, Dec 14 (UNI) The Prevention of Child Marriage Bill, 2006, that was passed by Rajya Sabha today, does not apply to Jammu and Kashmir.

''It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir, and it applies also to all citizens of India without and beyond India,'' says the Bill which was introduced by Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury in the House on December 20.

The Bill was passed after members, cutting across political affiliations, unanimously condemned the practice of Child marriages in many parts of the coutry and demanded government and societal intervention to stop it.

Former Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptullah, now a BJP member, while pointing out the clause pertaining to exclusion of Jammu and Kashmir from the purview of the Bill, demaded an explanation from the government.

''Why is it not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir ? Isn't Jammu and Kashmir not a part of India ? Doesn't Jammu and Kashmir have child marriages...?'' she asked.

She said the Minister should clarify it in her reply.

The government did not have an explanation.

The Bill seeks to prevent solemnisation of child marriages.

The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, was enacted to restrina solmenisation of child marriages. The Act was subsequently amendedin 1949 and 1978 to raise the age limits for marriage.

Although the old Act restrains solemnisation of child marriages, it does not declare them to be void or invalid.

One of the provisions in the new Bill seeks to declare child marriage as void in certain circumstances.

UNI RB VD HT1730