Chandigarh, October 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab Government has prevented 137 child marriages during 2025 and the period from January to July 2026 through timely intervention, legal enforcement and coordination among various departments, Cabinet Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr. Baljit Kaur said on Monday.
The minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state government remains committed to eliminating child marriage and ensuring every child has a safe childhood, access to quality education and opportunities to build a bright future.
Giving a year-wise breakdown, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that 64 child marriages were prevented in 2025, while 73 were stopped between January and July 2026. She said these interventions had helped safeguard the future of numerous children and reflected the government’s efforts to strengthen enforcement and raise public awareness against the social evil.
To intensify the campaign, the Punjab Government has appointed 2,076 Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) across the state. These include all Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) and principals of government senior secondary schools. The officers are working at village and urban levels to spread awareness, identify suspected cases and ensure timely legal intervention.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further said that, through a notification issued on February 10, 2025, the government constituted district-level Child Marriage Prohibition Units in all 23 districts of Punjab. These units facilitate prompt intervention in suspected cases, the rescue and rehabilitation of affected children, and coordination among the departments concerned.
The minister said child marriage deprives children of their childhood, education, health and opportunities for a better future. She emphasised that eliminating the practice requires both strict enforcement of the law and sustained efforts to change social attitudes.
Appealing to people across Punjab to support the campaign, Dr. Baljit Kaur urged parents, teachers, Panchayati Raj institutions, religious leaders, social organisations and young people to become active partners in preventing child marriage.
She called on citizens to immediately inform the concerned authorities about any suspected child marriage so that timely action could be taken to protect the children involved.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the Punjab Government would continue working under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership to protect children’s rights, eliminate social evils and build a safe, sensitive and child-friendly Punjab.
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