Kerala Government Employees Will Now Have To Prove They Didn't Take/Give Dowry

Kerala Govt Staff On Dowry: Governor Mohammed Arif Khan, a Kerala newly formed Government directed the state government employees to submit their affidavits declaring that they do not support the practice of dowry by confirming they neither took nor gave dowry. The same declaration will have to be signed by the wife of the concerned staff providing the affidavit.

Following a number of death by suicide over dowry disputes in the state of Kerala, the order came as yet another measure to check the increasing number of dowry cases in the state, sparked by the death of Vismaya Nair.

According to the order, the affidavits will be kept in safe custody by the office heads, as directed by the Women and Child development director.

The office heads are directed to submit a report regarding the same every six months.

Additionally, all of the heads of the departments will have to strictly comply with the orders as the Government's decision to enforce the dowry prohibition act.

The circular concerning Kerala Govt staff on dowry states, "every government servant shall after his marriage furnish a declaration stating that he has not taken any dowry to the head of the department."

It added, "the declaration shall be signed by the wife, father and father-in-law."

The mentioned order comes after the state governor engaged in a day-long fast in the Raj Bhawan over the atrocities against women and for creating awareness regarding the same.

Although the opposition, including the Bhartiya Janata Party and Congress, termed the governor's actions as a severe indictment against the ruling government, Khan clarified that the fast was only to create awareness and did not attack any government.

Following several dowry cases reported in the state since the last month, the Kerala Government appointed a Chief dowry prohibition officer who shall be responsible for the preparation and submission of an Annual Report on the progress of implementation of the Dowry Prohibition Act and related matters. Moreover, they will also provide such statistics as it may from time to time be required by Government.