Amendment in the dowry bill

The federal government has decided to amend the Dowry and Bridal Gifts Prohibition Act, 1976, to protect the bride from the growing trend of dowry in society. Dowry and Bridal Gifts (Prohibition) Amendment Bill 2020, Ministry of Religious Affairs prohibited the demand of dowry from the groom.

It has been further stated that the value of dowry and gifts are given to the bride under the bill will not exceed 4 tola of gold. For this purpose, the section of the Act has been amended. The wedding expenses will not be more than the price of 4 tola of gold. These expenses will include the costs of the wedding function, the expenses of dowry and bridal gifts. The section will be modified for this purpose.

According to which the details and price of the items given in dowry and gifts by the parents of the bride and groom at the time of marriage will be written in the column of the marriage certificate. The Ministry of Religious Affairs sent the summary after consultation with the provinces. These amendments were much required in 1976. Gifts worth more than Rs 1,000 will be banned from wedding guests. The section of the Act will be amended for this purpose. Section 52 will be included in the Act, according to which in case of divorce, the bride should be given the dowry items and gifts back or equivalent amount.

Section 91 of the Act will be also be amended, and the sentence will be increased from one month to one year in case of violation of the law. To make the bill applicable for the future, it is recommended to convert the amount mentioned in the Act into gold. Furthermore, dowry solicitation and display of dowry by the groom will be banned, for which sub-section 3 will be included in the Act. Violation of the terms of this Act shall be punishable under section 9.