With an objective to avoid problem arising out of
bigamy after death of an employee, the Assam Regime has barred second marriage for
its staff without the government approval if the first wife is alive. The move
was taken under a law instituted 58 years ago.
The order issued by Personnel Department Additional
Chief Secretary Niraj Verma October 20 cites Rule 26 of The Assam Civil
Services (Conduct) Rules, 1965, which treats any bigamous marriage without the
government’s clearance as “misconduct”, irrespective of what traditional law
allows.
Without naming any specific community, Chief Minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma said no Assam Government employee will be permitted to opt
for second marriage, even if they are permitted by their personal law to have a
bigamous marriage.
“Even if a religion allows you to have a second
marriage, then also you have to seek State Government’s permission. This law
was already there, now we have decided to implement,” said the Chief Minister.
“We have seen cases where after the death of the
employees, both wives fight for the husband’s pension,” he noted.
Similarly, no female government servant shall marry
any person who, has a husband living without first obtaining the permission of
the government, said the order, which came into force with immediate effect.
Previously this year, CM Himanta had said the Assam Government
wanted to ban polygamy immediately in the State.
“We want ban polygamy immediately. We are planning to
introduce the Bill it in the next Assembly session in September, and if we are
unable to do it for some reason, we will do it in the January session,” said the
Assam CM.
CM Himanta in August had also sought public opinion on
a proposed law to end polygamy in the State.
The Assam Government had constituted an expert
committee to study the legislative competence of the Assembly to enact a law
banning polygamy, and the report stated that the State legislature is competent
to enact a law to ban the marital practice.
NE Watch Desk
