Question : BRIDE BURNING DEATHS



(a) the number of deaths caused due to bride burning in the country during each of the last three years till date, State/UT-wise; and

(b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government to check such deaths ?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI I.D.SWAMI)

(a): Available information about the number of deaths caused due to bride burning in the country during the last three years is given in the attached statement (Annexure).

(b): `Police` and `Public Order` being State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, the registration, investigation, detection and prevention of crimes is essentially the responsibility of the State Governments. However, the Central Government has, from time to time, been writing to the State Governments emphasising the need to take measures in order to check menace of crime against women. The measures suggested by the Central Government include, inter alia, appointment of Dowry Prohibition Officers, setting up of Women Cell in police stations, wider recruitment of women police officers and gender sensitisation training to police personnel. The Central Government has also been stressing upon the State Governments the need to ensure implementation of the existing laws, both in letter and spirit, and to bring about an awareness in the general public about the law/instructions regarding anti-dowry and other connected matters. The Central Government has also been modifying and amending the existing laws with a view to making them more stringent. The media is being used to project the positive role of women in society.