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Plan For Dowry Free Regime

Bhubaneswar: Dowry is not a tradition, not a culture or a personal affair – it is a social disorder, said Deputy Chief Minister, Prabhati Parida said addressing the Sub-Collector’s Conference. She said that even after 60 years of the enactment of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, dowry is still being given in the society.

Day Long Sub Collectors’ Meet on the Prohibition of Dowry Act, 1961 was held at the Convention Centre of Lok Sewa Bhawan under the aegis of Women and Child Development Department today.

Speaking on the occasion, DCM Shrimati Parida said that the issue needs to be discussed and discussed at the grassroots level under the supervision of the Sub-Collector to make Odisha a dowry-free state. It is the responsibility of the civil servants to effectively implement the laws meant to protect our citizens.

Therefore, as a Sub-Collector, the role of the officer is crucial in ensuring that the dowry prohibition act, 1961, acts strictly, and prevents the misuse of the act. In our Odisha, sub-collectors and sub-divisional magistrates have been declared as dowry prohibition officers.

The act empowers the dowry prohibition officers to take preventive measures in cases of dowry, investigate and collect evidence. The success of each Act depends on proper and timely implementation as well as widespread public awareness. He directed the Sub-Collectors to create public awareness about the dowry law through social media in today’s digital age. He mentioned that it will be a big step forward for the dignity of women.

Shubha Sharma, Principal Secretary, Women and Child Development and Monisha Banerjee, Director, were present on the occasion. Deputy Collectors of 30 districts attended the programme and high court lawyer Deepak Narendra was the keynote speaker.

It is to be noted that the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 was enacted to eliminate this harmful practice of demon metaphor. The act defines dowry as any property related to marriage or valuable commodity paid by the other party. It clearly states that demanding, accepting or giving dowry is a punishable offence, and it applies before marriage, at the time of marriage or after marriage. The Act also punishes those who help or incite dowry work. The punishment for claiming or receiving dowry is imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs 15,000 or the value of the dowry paid, whichever is higher. Even advertisements promoting dowry are illegal under this law.