K. Naganna Gowda, chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said that as many as 64 cases of child marriage were reported in Mandya this year, of which 52 were prevented.
On Thursday, he chaired a review meeting of various departments at the district level on the implementation of laws and programs related to children – including RTE 2009, POCSO 2012, Prohibition of Child Marriage, Prevention of Child Trafficking Act, PCPNDT and Juvenile Justice Act-2015.
Mr. Naganna Gowda said that FIRs have been registered in respect of 12 other cases. Officials were instructed to continue awareness campaigns against child marriage and rid the district of its scourge. “Instead of interfering during the wedding ceremony, officials should proactively advise parents as soon as information about possible child marriage emerges and help prevent it,” he added.
On the issue of child labour, Mr. Naganna Gowda said that since April this year, 20 child laborers have been rescued and are being rehabilitated through education. Officials have been ordered to continue raids on child labor establishments and ensure those rescued are enrolled in schools to access education, he said. Even children of migrants from other states should have access to education, he added.
Referring to a major feticide attack that was unearthed in the district some time ago, Mr. Naganna Gowda pointed out that strict implementation of the law has helped curb the practice.
He directed all schools to educate students on child protection, provide health and vision checks for school bus drivers, install CCTV in school vehicles and display child helpline numbers and complaint boxes in schools. No school – private or public – should pressure students to pay tuition fees; any institution causing mental distress to pay the fee would face legal action, he added.
Mr. Naganna Gowda said that if the drivers of the vehicles are found to be minors below 18 years of age, action should be taken not only against them but also against their parents and the owners of the concerned vehicles. He also called for a crackdown on the illegal sale of alcohol near schools and slums, pointing out that it leads teenagers to addiction.
“Officials should identify and take strict action against those involved in illegal sale of liquor and submit a report on the number of such cases detected within a week,” he added. The police have also been warned against delay in registering POSCO cases. Commission member Venkatesh, Additional Deputy Commissioner BC Shivanandamurthy and others were present.
Published – 17 Oct 2025 20:14 IST
