Action plan to prevent child marriage in MP

Bhopal, Apr 17 (UNI) Amid reports about preparations for marrying off children on the auspicious occasion of 'Akshay Tritiya' on April 20, the Madhya Pradesh government has prepared a special action plan to prevent the age-old social evil.

Under the action plan aimed at creating awareness among the people against the evil practice, camps and rallies, besides street plays would be organised with the cooperation of Panchayat functionaries, religious heads and voluntary organisations.

Chief Secretary Rakesh Sahni has issued guidelines to the District Collectors to prevent child marriage.

Strict vigil will be maintained by the police over mass marriage programmes organised on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya to ensure that no adolescent is married off, official sources said.

The government is also popularising the 'Raksha Sootra Bandhan' programme under which a band would be tried by the minor daughters and sons to their parent for not performing their marriage in adolescent age.

UNI