(Representational Photo)The Maharashtra government prevented at least 560 child marriages since the pandemic began last March. Last June, during the first wave, 82 child marriage cases were stopped across Maharashtra. When Covid-19 cases were at a low and lockdown was partially or fully lifted, child marriage cases dipped. The committee recommended to make punishment for child marriage more stringent, give more authority to child marriage prevention officers and train ground staff on legal provisions available to them. In five districts — Aurangabad, Hingoli, Jalna, Nanded and Osmanabad — a district task force has been set up to eradicate child marriages.

Source: Indian Express July 04, 2021 20:37 UTC