Ganjam Admin to Provide Cash Reward for Info on Child Marriage

Berhampur: In a bid to curb the practice of child marriage, the Ganjam district administration has launched a special initiative, under which any person who provides information about a child marriage will get cash reward of Rs 5,000.

The reward will be given from the funds of the district’s child protection unit and the identity of the informers will remain confidential, said an official.

The decision was taken during the recent monthly meeting of the administration, according to reports.

Talking about the new initiative, Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange said, “Though people get to know about the preparations for a child marriage, but they don’t come forward to inform the administration due to fear factor”.

The cash award will encourage people to come forward to help the administration in curbing the practice of child marriage, he said.

He further said that awareness programmes will be held at the panchayat levels to sensitize the people about the initiative.

The district administration has foiled as many as 38 child marriages this year with the help of NGOs and self-help groups.

Notably, nearly 4.50 lakh students of over 3000 schools, several anganwadi workers and members of self-help groups in the district had taken a ”Mu Sachetan” (I am aware) pledge against child marriage in November.

Recently, Ganjam district has been felicitated by Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) for its proactive steps towards ensuring rights to children and adolescents.