Officials told to focus on registration of marriages

Khammam: People were still not realising the importance of registration of marriages which provide legal protection to women, District Collector DS Lokesh Kumar said.Addressing a meeting here on Tuesday, the Collector stressed the importance of propagating compulsory registration of marriages, stating that people were not still aware of its benefits.

There would be no child marriages, if registration of marriages is properly implemented by the authorities,” he said, directing the officials to launch a series of campaigns in the district to create awareness about the ill-effects of child marriages.

He said that registration of marriage would act as a protection for women in cases such as domestic violence and dowry harassment. This apart, the women would not be able to seek a divorce if the marriage was not legally valid.

The onus is on Education and Social Welfare departments to create awareness among the boys and girls studying in State-run schools,” Lokesh said, seeking support of the Stamps and Registration wing officials in the registration of marriages.

He directed the officials of DRDA to involve the members of self-help groups in spreading the message of importance of registration of marriages. He also directed the officials to ensure registration of marriages as per the guidelines.

He told the ICDS officials to conduct orientation classes to village revenue officers and village secretaries in regard with the registration norms. The Collector also urged the non-governmental organisations to come forward to propagate the importance of registration.