P Geetha Jeevan, the minister for social welfare and women's empowerment, claimed on Friday that sensitization has led to a decrease in the number of child marriages in Tamil Nadu.
Reporters were told by Jeevan, who was in Ranipet on a visitation on Friday, that approximately 17, 240 child weddings were avoided between 2008 and April 2022. 866 FIRs were filed between May 2021 and April 2022, and related legal action was being pursued. 1,399 FIRs were submitted in cases of solemnised child weddings, the minister continued.
A day after Chief Minister MK Stalin performed a surprise inspection there and ordered disciplinary action against the home's supervisor for not being present during working hours, the Minister conducted an inspection at a government home at Kaarai in Ranipet on Friday.
Geetha Jeevan said, "I was told that the supervisor arrived late to work because he was stuck in traffic. A show cause notice has been issued to the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) and the home supervisor in this regard."
Later that day, the Minister visited the government Place Of Safety (POS), a residence for youngsters in legal trouble, in the nearby Vellore region. After examination, she disclosed to media,
"The staff members were instructed to stay at the home and take care of these children as their own. They should stick to timings." The Minister added that staff members had been urged to hold sketching courses after some kids expressed an interest in receiving musical instruments.
She added that although there is a delay in getting cots, plans are being made to rapidly receive them as well as more uniforms. She also mentioned the possibility of future surprise checks.
