Pay dearly for attending child marriage

Being a guest at a child's marriage could cost one dearly in this Rajasthan district.

Jaipur District Collector Krishna Kunal Tuesday said any person assisting in a child marriage would face a penalty of Rs.1 lakh and two years rigorous imprisonment. The guests, caterer, the printing press which printed the wedding cards and musicians would be considered offenders if found taking part in a child marriage.

A control room has been set up in the collectorate to monitor and take strict action against organisers of child marriages.

"Anyone can inform the control room if any child marriage is being solemnised anywhere. The administration will take strict action," added Kunal.

The collectorate officers and employees, meanwhile, have taken an oath to stop child marriages on Akshaya Tritiya (May 2) and Peepal Purnima (May 14).

Child marriages are held in various parts of the state on these two auspicious dates.

Earlier, the state government issued a directive to print the date of birth of the groom and the bride on the wedding card. All district collectors and superintendents of police have been told to strictly enforce the directive.

A senior woman and child welfare department official told IANS: "All the printing press owners will have to get a birth certificate from the families of the bride and the groom before printing the wedding cards."

The official said if the printing press owner finds either the bride or the groom or both are underage, he should turn down the print order.

"He should even report the proposed wedding to the district administration so it could be prevented," the officer added.