By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: During the Question Hour in the Assembly on Monday, UDP legislator Ardent M Basaiawmoit tried to push the Government hard on enacting Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act.
Even though he has been raising this issue since 2009, Basaiawmoit said, “It is sad to see that nothing has move towards making this Act becoming a reality in the State.
“We know that there are many cases of woman being abandoned by their husband. There are also an increasing number of street children in our State. I think the only way to address these issues is by implementing this Act in the State,” the legislator said.
He was of the view that the decision of the Government to solicit views and suggestions from the general public on this Act was a clear indication that the Government was adopting a delaying tactics.
“I failed to understand as to why this Government does not think in the same line when it took decision to set the medical colleges in the State,” Basaiawmoit said.
UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh however questioned that if the Government is intending to make this compulsory registration of marriages mandatory by enforcing it with the force of law.In his reply, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said, “It is not wise to discuss on the nitty gritty on the proposed Act when it is still at the drafting stage.”
“The members would be given ample opportunity to debate on this matter once the Government tables the final draft of the Bill on the Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act in the floor of the House,” Chief Minister said.Stating that it would not be right to say that the Government is not serious on this matter, he said that the Government has in fact set up a committee to examine and consider the comments and suggestion on the draft Bill.
Dr Sangma informed that the term of the committee would expire on March 22 2012.