Agartala: Tripura’s social welfare and social education minister, Tinku Roy, announced that more than 700 child marriages were successfully prevented in the state over the past year, marking a significant milestone in the govt’s campaign against the practice.Roy described child marriage as a pressing social issue and reaffirmed the administration’s determination to eradicate it. He said the govt has intensified enforcement of legal provisions, strengthened monitoring mechanisms, and expanded outreach efforts to ensure minors are not married before reaching the legal age.Calling for collective action, the minister urged local authorities, community leaders, parents, and residents to unite against child marriage. He stressed the importance of grassroots collaboration to sustain recent progress and protect the rights and future of young girls.Roy highlighted ongoing initiatives such as school-based awareness campaigns to educate girls about their rights and the importance of education. Vulnerable areas have also been declared child marriage-free zones to reinforce prevention.He introduced the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana, an economic assistance scheme designed to discourage early marriages by providing financial support to eligible families. Other welfare programmes are also being implemented to empower adolescent girls and encourage their continued education and development.Reiterating the govt’s ultimate goal of eliminating child marriage, Roy emphasised that true social progress depends on ensuring equal opportunities for all genders and safeguarding the well-being of girls. The social welfare department underscored the importance of vigilance through partnerships with panchayats, urban local bodies, district authorities, and civil society organisations to strengthen preventive measures and respond swiftly to reported cases.
