MALERKOTLA: Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh will have his say in making amendments to the century-old Anand Marriage Act, being hotly debated in Sikh circles.
Amarinder will discuss the modalities of amendments to be made with Union home minister and the report prepared after Amarinder’ deliberations with home ministry would be put before the Union cabinet for approval. Revealing this here on Wednesday, Union law and justice and minorities minister Salman Khurshid said Union government is ready to make certain amendments or to frame new act altogether.
Salman Khurshid on the sidelines of a Congress rally said, “the union law ministry is thinking of making certain amendments to the act wherein the marriages solemnized under Anand Karaj Act could be registered in the deaths and birth act and these will be certified.Or a separate act for registration of marriages could be made incorporating Anand Marriage Act wherein marriages solemnized under Sikh Act could be accommodated and the Nikahnama by Muslims too could be taken up”.
He said “the proposals right now are with the Union home ministry and would be cleared only after PPCC president discusses it with the ministry”.
Sikhs are demanding separate law for registering Sikh marriages under the Anand Karaj Act.
Khurshid said Union government is making efforts to clear the Lokpal bill in the winter session but the opposition is not allowing the Parliament to function, making the passage of bill difficult. He said whether PM is to be put in the ambit of Lokpal bill will depend on the standing committee report.
On the threat of social crusader Anna Hazare going on another fast and visiting the states where elections are due, Kuhurshid said Anna is due to do whatever he feels better but he too should take note of SAD-BJP Punjab government, which is neck-deep in corruption.
Khurshid said allowing FDI in retail is a good step and Punjab government has endorsed it. He said certain parties are opposed to it but with time things will become clear. He said Union law ministry is debating over providing reservation to minorities out of 27 percent reservation for OBCs and quantum of reservation for minorities is being debated.
News Source: Times of India
