Registration of marriage will be mandatory in Delhi from now on.
Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Tuesday issued orders for making it mandatory and a gazette notification in this regard will be issued soon.
“The order is for all of the new marriages and it will be implemented as soon as a notification from the L-G’s office is issued,” said an official.
According to the orders, newly-married couples will have to apply for registration of their marriage in the local divisional commissioner’s office within 60 days. Those who apply after two months will be liable to pay a fine up to `1000.
The decision came after the Supreme Court raised questions on the delay in implementation of the Marriage Registration Act in Delhi.
The earlier Congress government in Delhi had prepared a draft for the Act but it was not passed by the Delhi Assembly. The pending Act lapsed as the Assembly was put under suspended animation following the resignation of former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
To handle the large volume of applications, the government may consider hiring retired personnel at the Divisional Commissioner and Sub Divisional Magistrate offices.
The government has provided online facility for appointment with the government officials for registration of marriage. Applicants have to appear before the official concerned with the required documents.