Chhattisgarh's Women and Child Development (WCD) Department on Monday urged public representatives, voluntary organizations and general public to prevent child marriages.
On the occasion of Askhaya Tritiya (April 22), a large number of marriages take place in the state. A large number of child marriages is also reported.
To stop the child marriage, the WCD has asked all Collectors, superintendents of police and others to take effective steps and to prepare an action plan to tackle them.
The public has been asked to report if any such marriage occurs.
The village panchayat office bearers have been told to check the date of birth from the statutory birth certificate of the bride and groom.
Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, the parents, relatives, marriage party and even the priest can be booked for violation, an official communication said.