Authorities and Social Organizations Emphasize Urgent Need to Curb Child Marriage and Child Labour for a Safer Future for Children

Nabarangpur, May 02:: A meeting titled “A Day for Children” was held on Saturday under the chairmanship of the District Collector.
The meeting was attended by District Social Welfare Officer Draupadi Kahar, District Child Protection Officer Suresh Pattnaik, Chief District Medical Officer Dr. Malay Kumar Pradhan, ADPHO Dr. Malay Tripathy, District Labour Officer Chhotray Tudu, District Welfare Officer Palaka Rabindra, District Education Officer Chhatrapati Sahu, Chairperson of the District Welfare Committee, all CDPOs, Angan Trust representative Prabhasini Pattnaik, AVA district coordinator Shobha representative Uma Satnami, and members of the Piramal Foundation, among others.
The District Collector reviewed the child protection situation and discussed measures taken by various departments. Under the 100-day “Child Marriage-Free India” campaign, 783 awareness programs have been conducted in the district. Additionally, 154 child marriages were prevented between January and March. However, only 5 FIRs have been filed against violators.
Expressing concern over the low number of FIRs, the Collector reprimanded CDPOs of Jharigaon, Kosagumuda, and Umerkote. Regarding child labour, the district administration has identified 66 cases, and all rescued children have been produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and provided necessary protection, as informed by the District Labour Officer.
The Collector also expressed displeasure over the failure to file FIRs against those employing child labour. He warned that FIRs must be filed immediately whenever cases of child marriage or child labour are detected, and strict action will be taken in case of non-compliance.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by the District Social Welfare Officer.