Govt employees in Kerala to submit ‘no dowry declarations’ after marriage

July 25: In a significant move, state government of Kerala has asked all its male employees to submit a declaration if and when they get married stating that they have not taken dowry from the bride’s family. The declaration is to be given within a month of the marriage. It should be signed by the employee’s wife, father, and father-in-law.

The step has been taken by the state government as several dowry deaths were reported recently in Kerala. It was further announced that Kerala government will be observing Dowry Prohibition Day on 26 November.

As regards the ‘no dowry declarations’ the heads of department should in turn submit a report of the declarations twice a month, in April and in October to the concerned District Dowry Prohibition Officers. The state government recently amended the Dowry Prohibition Rules 2021 to have dowry prohibition officers appointed in the districts as well as have the Director of Women and Child Development to act as their chief.