Chittoor Collector calls for collective efforts to eradicate child marriages

District Collector Sumit Kumar on Friday (October 9, 2026) called for collective efforts to eradicate the social evil of child marriages, and stressed that awareness must begin at school level. The Collector chaired a review meeting on teenage pregnancies at the ZP Meeting Hall here.

He said students from Class 6 onwards should be sensitised about the adverse impact of child marriage, legal aspects, and help mechanisms. He said that Self Help Groups should include prevention in the agenda to reach every family.

“Hostel wardens should be alert when issuing Transfer Certificates to prevent girls from leaving schools for marriages and inform the police and enforcement squad officials on suspicious cases. The role of the police is crucial, and strict action must be taken against violators, and no political pressure should be tolerated,” he said.

The Tehsildars and Mandal Parishad Development Officers should take part in village meetings and mandal reviews regularly. “Complaints on the 1098 helpline must be attended swiftly, including night hours,” he said.

Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi said that those promoting or taking part in child marriages would face two years of rigorous imprisonment without bail.

District Medical and Health Officer Dr. Naga Sashibhushan Reddy said that out of the 12,045 pregnant women registered in the district through Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) on the government portal, 1,283 were teenage pregnancies, and the actual number might be higher due to early abortions.

The official said that high cases are being reported in Mallanuru, Santhipuram, Rallabuduguru, Majinepalli, and Kangundi areas of the Kuppam region. Low-weight children need care, and sex determination tests must be curbed.