Sunday, February 26 2006 11:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: With the Supreme Court issuing directives for making registration of marriage compulsory, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has forwarded to the Centre a draft Bill for the purpose that would apply to all Indian citizens irrespective of religion.

The draft Bill for 'Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act, 2005', sent to the Ministry for Women and Child Development, proposes mandatory registration of all marriages irrespective of religion or caste of either party within 30 days of the wedding.

The proposed law, which, if enacted would be a Central legislation that would include marriages performed as per law or custom, practice or any tradition as well as remarriages.

The parties to a marriage shall prepare and sign a memorandum of marriage, to be presented to the local area Registrar of Marriages.

The certificate issued to them shall be conclusive proof of their marriage, and be received by any court, government of public authority.

The Central Government, it states, shall appoint a Registrar General of Marriages, India, while at the state level, a Chief Registrar of Marriages shall be appointed.

The registration set-up would include District Registrar, Marriages as also Registrar, Marriages, the latter empowered to register a marriage contracted or solemnised within the local area under his or her jurisdiction.