Our Correspondent
Kohima |March 13
Parliamentary Secretary for law & justice Yitachu today moved the floor of the House to introduce the Nagaland Registration of Marriage Bill 2012. Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie told the House that amendment if any can be made till 12:00 noon on March 14 and the matter for introduction and passing will be taken up on March 15.
The object of the registration of marriage is to provide evidence that the marriage has actually taken place. The Supreme Court has therefore, decided that all citizen of the country belonging to various religions should compulsorily register their marriage where ever it is solemnized, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who is also in-charge justice and law department stated in a statement of objects and reasons.
The statement said Supreme Court by a judgement dated 14-02-2006 in Smt. Seema Vs Ashwani Kumar T.P. (C) No 291/2005, has issued direction to central and state government to enact legislation for providing compulsory registration of marriages. It is observed that this would be in the right direction not only to prevent child marriages but also to provide proof of valid marriage.
Rio said the proposed Bill is in compliance of the Supreme Court direction to provide legislation for recording and registering marriages so that the record of marriage can be placed as evidence in different proceeding, if necessity arise, e.g. divorce or denial of marriage. In the absence of records, it becomes difficult to prove that one is married.
Rio added that the present legislation concerns with only registration of marriage, adding there is nothing in the provision that infringes on the Naga customary laws and usages. The scheme of the Act is to prescribe appointment of Registrar of Marriage in the state and districts, maintenance of register prescribing the format, etc without any religious or social connotation.
On financial memorandum, Chief Minister stated that there will be no financial expenditure from the consolidated fund of the state of Nagaland for implementing the Nagaland Registration of Marriage Bill, 2012 as the existing state machinery is going to carry out the purpose of the proposed Bill.
