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Govt plans life term for dowry death convicts

September 1, 2012
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New Delhi, September 1: The women and child development (WCD) ministry is seeking life term for those convicted in dowry death cases.

WCD minister Krishna Tirath on Friday said, "I will write to the law ministry to enhance punishment for those convicted in dowry death cases to life imprisonment." She also proposed separate fast-track courts for disposal of cases involving women.

In 2011, 8,618 dowry death cases were reported across the country. The ministry is pushing for an all-India cadre of protection officers for women. "We are seeking the Planning Commission's concurrence in this," Tirath said. The Centre would bear 75% expenses, and the rest (25%) will be borne by state governments.

The ministry also plans to make dowry laws more stringent by amending the existing law. It proposed to make listing of wedding gifts compulsory for the bride and the groom. "The list should be submitted in a sealed cover to the dowry prohibition officer. It will be strictly confidential," said Tirath. The list will be submitted in court if required.

On Thursday, she met women MPs to discuss amendments to the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The MPs suggested that if a bride dies, her wedding gifts should go to her parents or children. In case, she does not have parents or children, the gifts would become state property.

The ministry also proposes to be more lenient to those who give dowry. Now, those who give dowry and those who accept it face five years in jail. Amendments propose to reduce jail term for dowry givers to one year. Those who accept dowry would, however, be punished with a minimum of five-seven years in jail, said Tirath. The proposal was supported by MPs, including Samajwadi Party's Jaya Bachchan and Akali Dal's Harsimrat Kaur.

There will also be provisions to enable women to lodge complaint at a police station near her residence where she is staying after leaving her marital home.

During the consultation also proposed registration of all marriages, especially those involving NRIs, and putting them up on a website. "We want the families to inform the government about weddings with NRIs," said Tirath.

Drawing flak for delay in amendments to dowry laws, Tirath hoped it would be ready in six months. The Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill is likely to come up in Parliament on Monday.


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News Network
March 19,2020

Attari, Mar 19: At least 29 Indians, who had gone to Dubai to watch a cricket match which was called off later, on Wednesday night returned to India through the land transit route of Attari-Wagah border here.

Earlier, when they entered India after being cleared by the Pakistan Immigration Authority, they were detained at Attari border, as they were not having requisite permission on their passport to return to India through Pakistan.

According to officials, they had earlier flown to Dubai from New Delhi to watch a Pakistan League Cricket match there.

The match, however, was aborted and they decided to return India via Pakistan. They took a flight to Pakistan and after landing there, they took land route to reach Attari-Wagah border.

All were cleared by Indian immigration authority after being allowed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Amritsar Civil Surgeon Dr Prabdeep Kaur Johal said that by 9.30 PM all the Indian nationals were not handed over to the medical team for checkup.

She said if anyone of them are found with any symptoms of the virus, they would be admitted to Amritsar Government Hospital or else they would be allowed to continue their journey to Delhi or elsewhere.

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Agencies
August 3,2020

New Delhi, Aug 3: President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended warm greetings and good wishes to the countrymen on the occasion of Rakshabandhan.

The President in his message said, "Greetings on Raksha Bandhan! Rakhi is the sacred thread of love and trust that connects sisters with brothers in a special bond. On this day, let us reiterate our commitment to secure the honour and dignity of women."

"Many wishes to all the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan," Prime Minister Modi tweeted in Hindi.

Rakshabandhan, which is being celebrated today, is a celebration of the unique bond between brothers and sisters. Tying of the Rakhi by sisters, symbolises love, affection and mutual trust between brothers and sisters. 

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News Network
January 31,2020

Jan 31: President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday hailed the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act as "historic" in his address to joint sitting of both houses of Parliament, prompting protests by some opposition members.

He also said that debate and discussion on any issue strengthens democracy while violence during protests weaken it.

"The Citizenship Amendment Act is a historic law. It has fulfilled wishes of our founding fathers including Mahatma Gandhi," he said.

"Debate and discussions strengthen democracy, but violence during protests weaken democracy," he said without directly referring to the anti-CAA protests in the country some of which have witnessed violence.

In a reference to abrogation of Article 370, Kovind said there is happiness among people of India that people in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have got rights on par with the rest of the country.

The president said Parliament has created record in the first seven months of the new government headed by Narendra Modi by enacting several landmark legislations.

"My government is taking strong steps for making this decade as India's decade and this century as India's century," he said.

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