(a) whether the registration of marriage is proposed to be made mandatory;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefore?
(a) whether the registration of marriage is proposed to be made mandatory;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefore?
THE MINISTER OF LAW, JUSTICE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS (SHRI RAM JETHMALANI)
(a) to (c) Registration of marriages solemnised or contracted under the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936 and the Special Marriage Act, 1954 is compulsory. Section 8 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 provides that if the State Government is of opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do, it may provide that the entering of the particulars of Hindu marriages in the Hindu Marriage register shall be compulsory in the State or in any part there of, whether in all cases or in such cases as may be specified. Certain State Governments, namely, the States of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka have State Acts providing for compulsory registration of marriages in those States. Registration of marriages solemnised otherwise than under the Special marriage Act, 1954 is permissible under Section 16 of the said Act if such marriages fulfil certain conditions as laid down under chapter III of that Act. The question of making registration of Hindu marriages compulsory could thus be considered by the State Governments as per the local situations prevailing in those States.