Marriage Act approved after strike threat

SHILLONG, MAR 3: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the amendments of the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act, 2012 and its rules for introduction in the forthcoming assembly session slated from March 9.

The decision came a day after a Maitshaphrang convener Michael Syiem threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike against the government for  delaying to frame the rules for the implementation of the marriage Act in the state.

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma told reporters after the cabinet meeting, “We have approved the proposed amendments of the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act 2012 and amendment and also the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Rules 2015.”

Sangma said, “The same will be introduced in the floor of assembly during the upcoming budget session.” According to him, the rules of the Act will be subsequently notified post assent of the proposed amendment of the Act by the Governor.

Stating that there are certain minor amendments that were proposed by the department concerned, Sangma informed that these amendments relates to certain things on the nomenclature of the principal Act adding it is also related to corroborate the people who are required to be captured in the Act with complete clarity.

Sangma added, “We want to ensure that there is less scope for any lack of clarity.”

The Act envisages compulsory registration of all marriages between people belonging to any caste, tribe or religion contracted as per the customs, practices or traditions in the state.

Syiem, who had last year withdrawn his decision following government’s assurance to implement the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act, on Monday threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike from March 9 if it did not get cabinet approval.

Though Sangma informed that the government’s decision to take up the matter today was already listed before Syiem announced his hunger strike but nonetheless he said Syiem must be appreciated for resolve on this important Act.- By Our Reporter