The Bihar government has decided to set up a special "task force" led by the chief secretary to monitor efforts to stop child marriages in the state.
Bihar has the second-highest rate of child marriages in India after West Bengal, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5. The report states that 40.8% of women in Bihar get married before the age of 18. However, only 19 cases were registered under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) between 2020 and 2024.
Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena said that the government is taking targeted steps to prevent child marriages in areas where they are more common. Authorities, including the police, have been directed to take strict action against those involved. The task force will closely monitor progress on this issue.
The government is following a multi-step strategy, which includes enforcing laws, promoting girls' education, and raising awareness through JEEViKA, a women’s empowerment program. Other efforts include reserving 35% of government jobs for women and 50% of positions in local bodies (Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies).
Meena also said that all gram panchayats will have high schools, and every block will soon have a degree college, which will help reduce child marriages. A new group of officers, called "Child Marriage Protection Officers," will be appointed at district and sub-division levels to handle cases.
Harjot Kaur Bamhrah, the additional chief secretary of the social welfare department, emphasized that the government, under CM Nitish Kumar, is taking several steps to protect women and prevent child marriages. Detailed guidelines are being created to improve coordination between the police and child protection officers.
Jehanabad district magistrate Alankrita Pandey said her team is identifying areas with high child marriage rates and organizing awareness programs in villages. Similarly, Rohtas district magistrate Udita Singh said that as part of the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign, interactive meetings are held every Saturday in government schools to educate girls about the dangers of child marriage.
Additionally, an incentive program has been introduced for informers who report child marriages. If the information is verified, the informer will receive a cash reward of up to ₹5,000.
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