Let Us Take a Pledge to Make Narayanpet a Child Marriage-Free District: Collector C.H. Priyanka

Narayanpet, June 19 / 2026 Telangana Voice 

District Collector C.H. Priyanka has called upon all sections of society to take a collective pledge to make Narayanpet a child marriage-free district. She emphasized that true development is not limited to roads and buildings, but also includes literacy, protection of children’s rights, and effective implementation of laws safeguarding women and children.

The Collector was speaking at an awareness programme organized at S.R. Gardens in the district headquarters under the supervision of the District Women Development and Child Welfare Department and Child Protection Department. The programme was attended by Child Protection Committee members, public representatives, and officials from various departments. Awareness was created on the Child Protection Act, 2006, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Addressing the gathering, Collector Priyanka said the campaign launched under the slogan “My Future – My Determination” is not a one-time event but a continuous movement that will be carried out at village, mandal, division, and district levels. She stated that every effort under the programme aims to ensure that girls receive education and are empowered to marry only after attaining the legal age.

The Collector expressed concern that Narayanpet is often identified as a district with a high incidence of child marriages. She said this image can be erased if society collectively resolves to end the practice. She urged officials and citizens to report planned child marriages before they take place and warned that failure to act amounts to encouraging the offence. She reminded the public that child marriage is a punishable crime carrying imprisonment of up to two years under the law.

Noting that awareness about child marriage laws remains low in many villages, she directed officials to conduct extensive awareness campaigns across the district. She stressed that this programme marks the beginning of a sustained district-wide initiative against child marriage.

Collector Priyanka further warned that if a child marriage is found to have taken place, accountability would extend from field-level functionaries to district-level officials. She also called upon village sarpanches to play a proactive role in preventing child marriages.

In a significant announcement, the Collector stated that sarpanches who successfully prevent at least one child marriage in their respective villages during the current year will be considered for recognition as the Best Sarpanch at the State Level.

She also instructed the Education Department and Rural Development officials to work in coordination to identify school dropouts and ensure their continued education. Where necessary, children should be brought back into the education system through special programmes such as ULLAS. The Collector expressed confidence that Narayanpet could achieve zero child marriages this year and emerge as a model district in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, District Superintendent of Police Dr. Vineeth said child marriage is a serious crime and regretted that cases continue to be registered despite the law being in force for nearly two decades. He observed that unless societal attitudes change, legal provisions alone cannot eliminate the problem.

The SP noted that child marriages are particularly prevalent in border areas and stressed the need to change the mindset of parents who seek to marry off their daughters at an early age. He pointed out that school dropouts are especially vulnerable to child marriage and called for efforts to identify such children and ensure their enrollment in schools. He also emphasized the importance of providing livelihood opportunities to economically weaker families.

Dr. Vineeth urged all departments and stakeholders to work in mission mode to eradicate child marriage from the district completely.

During the programme, Child Protection Advisor David Raj, associated with the Women and Child Development Department and NALSAR University, gave a detailed presentation on the Child Marriage Prohibition Act and the POCSO Act, explaining their provisions and implementation to public representatives and officials.