NewKerala.com

Haryana Chief Secretary Orders Strict Enforcement of Dowry Act

Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi chaired a review meeting to strengthen enforcement of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. He directed district administrations to intensify awareness campaigns and clearly define roles of Dowry Prohibition Officers. Rastogi emphasized proactive handling of complaints and coordination with law enforcement. He also ordered publicizing contact details of officers and sensitization programs for police and judicial officials.

Key Points: Haryana Intensifies Dowry Act Enforcement | Key Steps

  • Haryana Chief Secretary chairs review meeting on Dowry Act enforcement
  • SDMs designated as Dowry Prohibition Officers
  • Extensive awareness campaigns targeting youth and rural areas ordered
  • Contact details of officers to be publicized for easy victim access
2 min read

Intensify enforcement mechanisms on dowry Act: Haryana Chief Secretary

Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi directs intensified enforcement of Dowry Prohibition Act, awareness campaigns, and clear roles for officials.

"many families continue to face emotional, financial and social pressure due to dowry practices, making collective societal action essential - Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi"

Chandigarh, May 6

Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting here to strengthen enforcement of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, and directed all district administrations to intensify awareness campaigns and enforcement mechanisms.

During the meeting, Rastogi stressed the need for a coordinated and people-centric strategy to curb dowry-related harassment and offences.

He directed the roles and responsibilities of Dowry Prohibition Officers be clearly defined to ensure accountability and effective implementation of the law.

The Chief Secretary said Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) across the state have already been designated as Dowry Prohibition Officers under a government notification issued in October 2015.

He emphasized that these officers must remain proactive in handling complaints, spreading awareness and coordinating with law enforcement agencies for timely action.

The Chief Secretary directed Deputy Commissioners to launch extensive awareness campaigns in coordination with the Haryana State Legal Services Authority, particularly targeting the youth, educational institutions and rural communities.

He said the campaign aims to build social resistance against dowry demands and create awareness that demanding or giving dowry is a punishable offence under law.

He observed that many families continue to face emotional, financial and social pressure due to dowry practices, making collective societal action essential.

To strengthen accessibility and grievance redressal mechanisms, Rastogi directed that the names, contact numbers and official email IDs of Dowry Prohibition Officers be prominently displayed and widely publicized at district and sub-divisional levels so that victims and their families can easily approach authorities for assistance.

The Chief Secretary also stressed the need for periodic sensitization and structured training programmes for police officers and judicial officials dealing with dowry-related cases.

He directed that complaints registered under Section 304-B relating to dowry deaths and Section 498-A concerning cruelty against married women be examined carefully from the earliest stage to ensure timely justice for genuine victims while ensuring expeditious disposal of cases.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As someone from Haryana, I've seen dowry destroy families. The problem is that even educated families demand dowry, but in subtle ways. I hope the SDMs take this seriously and don't just make it another paperwork exercise. The contact details being public is a smart move - at least victims have somewhere to go.
S
Sarah B
I'm an NRI now, but my cousin in Panipat faced dowry harassment for years. The legal system was slow, and she was afraid to complain. This proactive approach gives me hope. Training police officers is crucial - too often they treat it as a 'family matter'. Let's hope implementation matches intent. 🤞
A
Arjun K
Good initiative, but I'm skeptical. Dowry Prohibition Officers have been there since 2015, but how many cases have they actually resolved? The focus should be on punishing the givers too - both parties are breaking the law. Also, need to address the 'status symbol' aspect of dowry in weddings. Just banning won't work without changing social attitudes.
L
Lisa P
I'm a teacher in a Haryana government school. The focus on youth and educational institutions is spot on. We need to start from school - teach children that marriage is about partnership, not transaction. The awareness campaign should include street plays and social media too. Let's make dowry 'uncool' for the next generation! 🎯
V
Vikram M
Respect to the Chief Secretary for taking this up, but let's be practical. In rural Haryana, people still see dowry as 'right' of the groom's family. The enforcement needs local police who understand the landscape. Also need whistleblower protection for

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50