In a resolute effort to tackle a deeply concerning social issue, Deputy Commissioner B. Fouzia Taranum has marshaled officials from various departments, instructing them to work collaboratively towards making Kalaburagi a district entirely free from child marriages.
During a recent district-level coordination committee meeting held on Monday, Ms. Taranum expressed significant apprehension over the alarming rise in reported child marriage cases. She underscored the critical need for constant vigilance, urging officials to proactively gather intelligence on potential incidents in villages and intervene swiftly to prevent them.
A strong warning was issued: “Strict disciplinary action will be recommended against any official found negligent in their duties to prevent child marriages,” she asserted, emphasizing the gravity of the directive.
The meeting also focused on the effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, a vital maternal benefit scheme. Ms. Taranum highlighted that some officers had fallen short of their assigned targets and urged for renewed, concerted efforts. She specifically directed taluk health officers, child development project officers, and supervisors to convene joint meetings, ensuring seamless coordination to achieve their goals.
Furthermore, Ms. Taranum noted the release of a ₹10 lakh grant under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme and stressed its effective utilization. She underscored the importance of widespread awareness campaigns to ensure that every eligible beneficiary receives the intended support. She also mandated that officials resolve all outstanding issues related to Aadhaar linkage with bank accounts for the Matru Vandana Yojana, preventing any eligible individual from being denied their rightful entitlements.
To safeguard the well-being of young girls, Ms. Taranum ordered surprise inspections of girls’ hostels, focusing on maintaining cleanliness, ensuring adequate water supply, and verifying other essential facilities.
Concern was also raised regarding the unexpectedly low number of calls received at the women’s helpline. Officials were urged to significantly boost awareness about this vital service. Similarly, she pointed out a decline in cases handled by the Sakhi One Stop Centre, reiterating the need to educate the public about its purpose and the comprehensive support it offers to women in distress.
Ms. Taranum additionally stressed the judicious and effective use of allocated honorarium and administrative funds designated for various women’s welfare schemes. She highlighted the broader vision of the Mission Shakti programme, which aims to fortify existing mechanisms for the safety, security, and empowerment of women across the district.
During the occasion, a powerful poster was unveiled, bearing the message: “Illegal adoption leads to trouble – Adopt children legally,” reinforcing the importance of adhering to legal procedures. Officials were subsequently instructed to organize comprehensive awareness programs throughout ‘Adoption Month’ to promote ethical adoption practices.
The collaborative meeting saw the attendance of key district figures, including Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Bhanwar Singh Meena, Additional Superintendent of Police Mahesh Meghannanavar, Chief Planning Officer S.S. Mathapati, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sharanabasappa Subedar, District Health Officer Sharanabasappa Kyatanal, Deputy Director of Women and Child Development Department Rajkumar Rathod, District Child Protection Officer Manjula V. Patil, Inspector Jagadish K.G. of the District Women’s Police Station, along with various Child Development Project Officers and representatives from numerous other organizations, all uniting in the pledge to protect children and empower women.