Saat Phere

(NEW DELHI)

Soon, saat phere around the holy fire will not be enough for people to acquire the status of a legally married couple. In a major move to improve the condition of women, the government is ready with a draft Bill to make registration of all marriages compulsory. According to the new Bill — the Compulsory Registration of Marriage Bill, 2005 — prepared by the National Commission for Women, marriage registration will be compulsory for every individual, if either husband or wife or both are Indian citizens. The proposed law will be applicable to all citizens. According to the new Bill, 'marriage' will mean and include all marriages solemnised or contracted between a male and a female, irrespective of the religion or caste of either partner, and will also include marriages performed as per law, custom, practice or any tradition of either party to the marriage. "This proposal will prove to be a milestone in women's empowerment and checking crime against women. If this proposal becomes law, it will help curb child marriages, polygamy, forced marriages and large scale trafficking of women" says a member of the commission. Once the proposal becomes law, Indian citizens marrying in India or abroad will have to get their marriages registered within 30 days. If they fail to do so, a fine of Rs 2 per day will be imposed. Persons married before the Act comes into force may also register their marriage under this Act and time limit of 30 days will not be applicable for them. Under the new Bill, at the Union level, an office of Registrar-General (Marriages) will be established. The registrar-general will have the power to issue general directions regarding registration of marriages and will take steps to coordinate the activities and unify the records of chief registrars appointed at the state level. At the district level, district registrars and additional registrars will be appointed.The draft Bill has been finalised by NCW and will now be sent to the HRD ministry for approval.

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Courtesy: Times of India Article