3 child marriages prevented on 'Akha Teej'

On the occasion of 'Akha Teej', three child marriages were today prevented by the district administration officials here.
'Akha Teej', which is an auspicious occasion for the marriages, is also notorious for the child marriages in parts of Rajasthan.
All the district collectors were directed by the state government to keep a watch and stop the child marriages.
"Directions were given to all the district collectors and SPs to keep a strict vigil on Akha Teej," Manjit Singh, Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment, said.
The complaints were received from Amber, Chomu and Khatipura areas.
"One minor girl was being married in Chomu. While in Amer and Khatipura, two minor boys were being married," Additional District Collector Jaswant Singh said.

Complaints of child marriages were received in other districts also and they were being verified.

Jodhpur district collector Gaurav Goyal said that several complaints were made at the control room and they were being verified.
However, social activists claim that despite these efforts the child marriages are unabated in the state
"The administration issues all types of advisory and warnings but the parents and protagonists of child marriages are one step ahead and evade the legal implications," Kriti Bharti, a rehabilitation psychologist, said in Jodhpur.
"Considering the alertness of the administration, the parents now prefer to solemnise the child marriage on Seeta Navami, another auspicious day for the purpose, which falls 6 days later," said a gram sevak on condition of anonymity.

"In order to escape the eyes of the watchdogs, the parents in rural areas solemnise the marriages of their minor wards in the fields and not at their homes," he said.