All Male Government Employees To Sign A Declaration Not To Recieve Dowry Upon Marriage: Kerala Government

The State government of Kerala recently made a bold move by directing all its male employees to sign an undertaking form declaring that they will not promote or accept dowry upon marriage. 

Through a circular dated 16th July 2021, the State also made several major directions to the effect of addressing the concern of rising dowry deaths in the State. The circular was issued by the Women and Child Development Department, which is in charge of administrating and coordinating work related to dowry prohibition throughout the State. 

Accordingly, it was declared that every government servant shall furnish a declaration stating that he has not received dowry after his marriage to the Head of the Department, which has to be signed by the wife, father, and the father-in-law of the employee.

Simultaneously, all the Heads of the Department including private, autonomous bodies and other institutions were directed to obtain the aforementioned declaration from their employees within one month of their marriage. 

They were also required to acknowledge the receipt of this circular and thereby furnish a report on declaration every six months, before the 10th of April and October every year, to the respective District Dowry Prohibition Officers. 

The District Dowry Prohibition Officers have also been directed to submit a report of all the departments that did not furnish the said declarations before the 15th of every April and October.  

The circular had also been attached the format for the declaration and the report to be submitted as annexures. 

Additionally, it was instructed that November 26th of every year shall be observed as the Dowry Prohibition Day in the State.

It was further instructed that students in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions shall administer a pledge not to give or receive dowry in the general assembly on this day.

Click Here To Read The Circular