A shocking case has emerged from Yadgir district in Karnataka, where 189 beneficiaries of the state's welfare Bhagyalakshmi scheme were found to have been subjected to child marriage. This illegal act has not only stripped these young women of crucial government financial facilities but has also opened them up to potential legal proceedings.
Scheme Maturity Clashes with Social Evil
The issue came to light as bonds issued under the scheme, launched by the Karnataka government in 2006-07, began maturing this year. The administration started the process of disbursing maturity funds to eligible beneficiaries, which requires submission of prescribed documents. During this verification in Yadgir, the administration discovered that a staggering 189 girls who had registered and received bonds were married before the legal age.
Legal and Social Consequences
The fallout is severe. These young women are now deprived of the financial aid meant to secure their future. More alarmingly, they and their families face strict legal action for violating the Child Marriage Prohibition Act. Speaking to TOI, Yadgir Deputy Commissioner Harshal Bhoyar assured that any breach of norms related to the Bhagyalakshmi bonds would be met with stringent legal measures.
An officer highlighted the tragic social backdrop, noting that Yadgir has historically seen high numbers of child marriages and teenage pregnancies, contributing to the region's backwardness in educational, economic, and social development. "Many girls who should have pursued higher education and had a bright future, are being deprived of their constitutional rights as victims of the social scourge of child marriage," the officer stated.
Systemic Failures and Ongoing Crisis
Despite the existence of the Child Marriage Prohibition Act and the POCSO Act, cases of child marriage and underage pregnancy continue to rise in Yadgir district. This points to a collective failure of the district administration, the women and child welfare department, the health department, and the police in curbing this deep-rooted social menace.
While beneficiaries in some other districts have already received their scheme instalments directly into their bank accounts, the process in Yadgir remains stalled due to the ongoing verification triggered by these findings. The case exposes the grim reality where a well-intentioned government scheme aimed at empowering the girl child is undermined by persistent illegal social practices.
