“Even if a religion allows you to have a second marriage, then also you have to seek state government's permission,” said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on a recent government order advising staff to seek government approval before second marriage, while the first spouse is still alive.
In a recent order, the Assam government said government staff can not marry for the second time, even if it is permitted as per personal law, without the permission of the State government. “Even if a religion allows you to have a second marriage, then also you have to seek state government's permission. This law was already there, now we have decided to implement (it). We have seen cases where after the death of the employees, both wives fight for the husband's pension," NDTV quoted Sarma as saying.
According to the order, no government servant with a living wife can contract another marriage without obtaining the permission of the Government, “notwithstanding that such subsequent marriage is permissible under the personal law for the time being applicable to him". The rule is applicable to female government servants (with their spouse alive) too.
