Question : DOWRY SYSTEM

(a) whether the cases of harassment and deaths of women for dowry have increased in the country during each of the last three years and the current year;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government has taken measures for eradicating dowry system and educate/create awareness amongst people about the evil effects of dowry system on society;

(d) if so, the details and achievements thereof; and

(e) the other corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard ?

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)

(a) to (b): As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, which is available till the year 2012, 8391, 8618 and 8233 cases under section 304 B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (Dowry Death), 94041, 99135, and 106527 under Section 498 A of the IPC ( cruelty by Husband his relatives) and 5182, 6619 and 9038 cases under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 had been registered for the year 2010, 2011 & 2012 respectively which show a mixed trend. The State/UT-wise details are at Annexure.

(c) to (e): The Government of India regularly conducts awareness generation programmes and publicity campaigns on various laws relating to women including Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 through workshops, fairs, cultural programmes, seminars, training programmes etc. Through the National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) and through the autonomous institutions under the Ministry including the National Commission for Women (NCW) and National Institute of Public Corporation and Child Development (NIPCCD) advertisements are regularly brought out in the print and electronic media to create awareness on laws relating to rights of women. The Ministry reviews with the states, the implementation of this legislation for necessary amendments, if any, for its effective implementation.