Meghalaya cabinet today approved the amendments of the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act, 2012 and its rules for introduction in the forthcoming Assembly session slated for next week.
The decision came a day after a social activist Michael Syiem threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike to protest against government's delay in framing the rules for the implementation of the marriage Act in the state.
"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," Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told reporters.
"The same will be introduced in the floor of House during the upcoming budget session of the State Assembly," he said.
According to the chief minister, 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, he said that these amendments related to certain things on the nomenclature of the principal act adding in addition it is also related to corroborate the people who are required to be captured in the Act with complete 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.
A 55 year-old Syiem yesterday announced his decision to stage an indefinite hunger strike after the cabinet did not take up the matter.
