MUMBAI: After coming across cases of child marriage and deliveries involving minors in which fake Aadhaar cards were used to conceal their ages, the state government has now made school-leaving certificates or transfer certificates mandatory for the registration of marriages and pregnancies, particularly in rural areas.
activists complained that fake Aadhaar cards were still being used to facilitate child marriages Although these measures proved effective. Taking note of these complaints, the women and child development department has now made copies of school-leaving certificates or transfer certificates mandatory. “All ASHA and Anganwadi workers have been informed through the district administrations to ensure that while registering new pregnancies, they verify the age of the women using their school-leaving or transfer certificates. Zinjade also claimed that the government’s mandate of school-related documents for the registration of marriages and pregnancies came after demands from his NGO.
This step is being taken following complaints that fake Aadhaar cards are being submitted to avoid action in cases of child marriage,” said an official from the department. When asked if school-leaving and transfer certificates too could be forged, he said they were not.
