Cabinet approves amendments of Registration of Birth and Death Act

New Delhi, Apr 12 (ANI): The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the introduction of a Bill in the budget session of parliament to amend the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 to include registration of marriages as well.

The Cabinet also approved introducing a Bill in parliament to further amend the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 to provide for registration of marriages under the Act.

The proposed Bills are expected to be beneficial for the women from unnecessary harassment in matrimonial and maintenance cases.

It will also provide evidentiary value in the matters of custody of children, right of children born from the wedlock of the two persons whose marriage is registered and the age of the parties to the marriage.

Taking into account the directions of the Supreme Court in the case of Seema Vs Ashwani Kumar reported in AIR 2006 S.C. 1158, as well as the reports of the Law Commission of India and the Committee on Empowerment of Women, the Legislative Department opined that the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 may be amended to provide for the compulsory registration of marriages without affecting the state laws providing for compulsory registration of marriages in their respective states.

The registration of marriages of the parties under the proposed amendment would not affect any right recognized or acquired by any party to marriage under any law, custom or usage. (ANI)