Cabinet nod to changes in marriage laws bill

New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) The union cabinet Thursday approved changes in the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill which will further secure the interests of women in divorce cases.

Sources said under the changes approved, the residential property would have to be equally shared even if it has been acquired by either partner before the marriage.

The other change approved in the legislation allows a couple to end marriage in six months period if both agree the breakdown is irretrievable. Earlier, this could happen even if one partner wanted to end the marriage.

The bill had been deferred in the Rajya Sabha earlier after opposition members, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Biju Janata Dal and the Communist Party of India-Marxist, raised concerns during the debate on the legislation.