Vacation weddings: Govt to make marriage registration compulsory

Thursday, 19/07/2012

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120719/punjab.htm#7

Punjabi damsels will not be lost in the wilderness while looking for greener pastures abroad. Chasing the dollar dreams by planning to marry NRIs, they may find themselves in a more genuine relationship, with the Punjab Government trying to end the menace of vacation weddings by making marriage registration compulsory.

The Punjab Government is, in fact, coming up with the Punjab Compulsory Registration of Marriages Bill, 2012. The Bill comes nearly four years after the state assembly passed the Punjab Compulsory Registration of Marriages Bill 2008, paving the way for the registration of marriages solemnised in the state under the Anand Marriage Act 1909. Punjab Undersecretary in the Department of Home Affairs and Justice Sewa Singh says the Department of Legal and Legislative Affairs has prepared the Bill, but the government is awaiting reply from the Centre before going ahead in the matter.

He says: “It came to the knowledge of the state government that the Union Cabinet has recently approved amendments to the Hindu Marriages Act, 1955, and Anand Marriage Act, 1909, providing for registration of marriages.

“Therefore, before taking any further action in this regard, including reconsideration by the state legislative, the government has requested the Centre vide its letter dated June 22 to confirm as to whether the Union Cabinet has recently approved such amendments to enable the state government to proceed further in this case. A reply in this regard is awaited”.

The assertion is significant as the Punjab and Haryana High Court is hearing a petition filed in public interest in the matter by Didar Singh. He is seeking directions to the state of Punjab and other respondents to frame a policy or guidelines on marriages by NRI bridegrooms in Punjab and other parts of the country.

He has contended that often married NRIs tie the knot again in India by concealing their earlier marriage and run away leaving the bride at nobody's mercy.

During the hearing, the state counsel assured the court that “all efforts would be made to get the Punjab Compulsory Registration of Marriages Bill, 2012 passed as per norms”. Taking on record the assertion, Acting Chief Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain asserted: “Since the Punjab Government is alive to this issue and necessary enactment for making the registration of marriage compulsory is being brought, this court is not required to issue any further direction in the matter”.

Clipping wings

• The government is making efforts to end the menace of vacation weddings by NRIs
• The Department of Legal and Legislative Affairs has prepared the Punjab Compulsory Registration of Marriages Bill, 2012
• The government is awaiting a clarification from the Centre before going ahead in the matter