Guwahati: In a significant move, the Assam government has announced its intention to introduce a bill to end polygamy in the state during the upcoming budget session of the assembly, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, Sarma shared that the draft of the bill is currently under scrutiny by the Law Department. He emphasised that the legislation aims to ban polygamy in the state and is scheduled to be tabled during the budget session.
In addition to the proposed bill, Sarma also highlighted the government’s anticipation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legislation, which will be deliberated during a special four-day session of the Uttarakhand assembly commencing on February 5. The Assam government intends to closely monitor the progress of the UCC bill and assess its potential implementation in the state.
The budget session of the Assam assembly will commence on February 5 and conclude on February 28, with the presentation of the budget for the next fiscal year scheduled for February 12.
Notably, the Assam government has previously sought public opinion on the proposed law to end polygamy in the state. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media to share a government public notice inviting citizens to submit their suggestions on the proposed legislation.
The public notice, issued by the Principal Secretary of the Home and Political Department, requested individuals to share their views by August 30, 2023, via email or postal mail. It highlighted that an expert committee had been formed to examine the legislative competence of the state assembly to enact a law banning polygamy, and the committee’s report confirmed the state’s authority to introduce such legislation.
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The executive summary of the report, shared in the public notice, clarified that marriage falls under the Concurrent List, allowing both the central government and state governments to enact laws on the matter. However, the Doctrine of Repugnancy stipulates that if a state legislation contradicts a central legislation, the state law will be overridden unless it receives the prior assent of the President of India.
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