Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today made a fervent appeal to people to do away with the practice of child marriage, the main reason for stunted growth of children in the state.
“Bihar has a problem of stunted growth of children, the main reason for which is child marriage,” Kumar said addressing a function after inaugurating the newly constructed Uderasthan barrage in Jehanabad.
“There should be no marriage before a boy attains the age of 21 years and a girl 18 years. When a girl married off before this age becomes pregnant, her child would be inflicted with numerous diseases,” he said.
Stressing on the need to get rid of social maladies prevailing in the society, Kumar said that after prohibition his government would launch a concerted campaign against child marriage and dowry system.
“A concerted campaign against child marriage and dowry would be launched from October 2,” the chief minister said.
He urged the gathering to keep away from a marriage in which dowry has been exchanged.
Kumar said he was committed to development of all the regions and citizens of all community.
—-PTI