Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das announces cash reward for minor girl who refused marriage

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Thursday announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for a class IV girl student for her refusal to succumb to family pressures for marriage.

"Girls should emulate her by coming forward to fight for their rights," Das said while praising 13-year-old Birasmuni Kumari at a function in Gumla district organised under the "School Chalen Chalayan Abhiyan".

Das also announced that the government would provide free education and marriage expenses after her studies, an official release said. When her father put pressure on her for marriage, Kumari, who is studying in a school at Baghima in Gumla district, told him firmly that she would first complete her education.

Then she reported the matter to the Gumla district administration and got support. Pledging to spread literacy in the state that has over three lakh children outside school, the chief minister said literacy would prevent such social evils.