By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Mait Shaphrang Movement (MSM) which has been continuously following up the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Bill will ask the State Government to speed up the process of framing rules for the Act.
The Cabinet last year approved the proposed Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Bill, 2011 following which it was also passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Convener, Michael Syiem on Saturday said, “After the Assembly we will meet the Government and ask them to frame the rules.”
The MSM earlier said that the implementation of the act holds importance since Khasi and Garo men do not inherit any property and incase of a divorce they have to give maintenance so if the male has some property then he can give a bit of maintenance.
The MSM has apprehensions that the State Government may take many years to frame the rules as the LokAyukta Act was passed in 2002 but rules were framed only in 2007.
“We are pursuing the matter so that the framing of rules for Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Bill is not delayed.”
Besides the compulsory registration of marriage, Mait Shaphrang Movement has also been fighting for a law to ensure equitable distribution of self-acquired and ancestral wealth.
As a part of the campaign for the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Bill and equitable distribution of ancestral and self-acquired property laws, the group will also telecast the musical play titled ‘Juliet & Romeo’ in local cable channels on Saturday.
It may be mentioned that the State Assembly on September 7 passed the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Bill, 2012 without any debate.
The proposed Bill will include compulsory registration of all marriages between people belonging to any caste, tribe or religion contracted as per the customs, practices or traditions.
It would also include registration of re-marriages and live-in relationships.