With two days left for the Akshaya Tritiya on Monday, the State Government asked the district Collectors to curb child marriages which are held in large numbers on this auspicious occasion.
The Women and Child Development Department (WCDD) directed the 30 district Collectors to take preventive measures against child marriages.
The Women and Child Development Department (WCDD) also told the Collectors to sensitise people on the dangers of child marriages.
"Child marriage prohibitory officers should be active on the day," Director of Social Welfare Aswathy S said in letters to the Collectors.
The Government's move in this regard followed a letter from National Women Commission (NCW) chairperson Mamta Sharma to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Sharma said child marriages in large numbers are held on the Akshaya Tritiya day in all States, including Odisha.
The NCW's concern is based on an Unicef report on the State of World's Children-2012, which said about 37 per cent of girls in Odisha marry before the age of 18 while 13 per cent men marry before turning 21.