Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Tuesday (May 9) that his government intends to prohibit polygamy through a state act rather than the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The CM announced the formation of an expert committee to investigate whether the authority has the legitimacy to prohibit polygamy in the region. He made these remarks during a press conference on the completion of two years of his government in the state.
"We are not using the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), but rather a State Act to prohibit polygamy. The state of Assam has decided to form an expert committee to investigate whether the state government has the authority to prohibit polygamy in the region. The Assam government wishes to outlaw polygamy in the state," Sarma said during the presser, ANI reported.
According to Sarma, the committee will examine the provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Act of 1937, as well as Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, in relation to the state policy directive principle of a uniform civil code. "The committee will engage in extensive discussions with all stakeholders, including legal experts, to arrive at a well-informed decision," he said.
The committee will be formed on Wednesday. According to the CM, a six months period will be given to those who have indulged in it. The state government would not be too harsh so given a time frame, he added.
Polygamy is a kind of marriage in which a spouse of either sex may have more than one mate at the same time. There are more cases of polygamy in Southern Assam’s Barak Valley and places like Hojai in Nagaon district, the CM said.
ASSAM GOVT SIGN PROJECTS WORTH RS 8,200 CRORE
The Assam government signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with ten leading companies on Tuesday, anticipating investments worth Rs 8200 crores in the state.
"Today, we have signed MoUs with various organisations, which will bring investment worth Rs 8,200 crore to Assam's economy," Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on the occasion. According to the CM, this investment will generate 6100 jobs in the state.
"On the eve of the State Government's second anniversary, our thriving economy takes another step forward. These efforts will result in an investment of Rs 8,200 crore and the creation of 6,100 jobs. There are many more in the works. "Thank you for believing in Assam's growth story," CM Sarma said.
The event was organised as part of the 2-year anniversary celebrations of the Assam government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Earlier on Monday, CM Sarma announced that his administration has decided to mark the second anniversary of the current state government from May 9 to 11.