Question : PROHIBITION OF CHILD MARRIAGE ACT

(a) whether as per the UNICEF report more than a third of the world`s child brides are from India, if so, the details thereof along with the cases of Child Marriage reported in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether any survey or study has been conducted by the Government to ascertain Child Marriage as the contributing factor in population growth, if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(c) whether the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 has been successful in achieving its aims and objectives;

(d) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor and the steps taken by the Government for strengthening and better, effective and strict implementation of the said Act across the country; and

(e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government in this direction?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a) There is no official information on the such a report with the Ministry of Women and Child Development. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data which is available till the year 2013, total number of cases registered and persons convicted under Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 during 2011 to 2013 are annexed.

(b) No Madam. Ministry of Women and Child Development has not conducted any study in recent years to that effect.

(c) to (e): The trend of last three years as National Crime Records Bureau data shows, there is increasing in reporting of the Child Marriage cases. Government of India is concerned about the prevalence of Child Marriages in the country and put in place necessary legislation viz. Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) 2006 to tackle the problem. The States/UTs from time to time are being regularly pursued for effective implementation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. Further, State Governments are requested to take special initiative to delay marriage by coordinated efforts on Akha Teej—the traditional day for such marriages; Advertisements in the press and electronic media educating peoples about the issue of Child Marriage etc also being taken up. Platforms such as the International Women’s Day and the National Girl Child Day are used to create awareness on issues related to women and to bring to the centre stage issues such as child marriage. Through the Sablaprogramme of this Ministry, adolescent girls in the age group of 11 to 18 years are imparted training with regard to legal rights of women which also includes the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.