Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Monday that the state government will take action against government employees who abandon their first wives without a legal divorce before marrying again. This move aims to address issues of bigamy within the state’s workforce.
Sarma said that in such cases, the government could deduct 20 per cent of the employee’s salary and deposit the amount into the bank account of the first wife, subject to her making an application to the government.
“If a government employee abandons his first wife without legally divorcing her and enters into an informal marriage with another woman, 20 per cent of his salary will be deducted and deposited directly into the first wife’s account, upon her application to the government,” Sarma said.
Government Moves to Address Polygamy Among Employees
The Chief Minister announced that the government is considering legal action against employees who have allegedly abandoned their spouses without completing the divorce process, subsequently marrying or cohabiting with another partner. This initiative aims to enforce existing laws against polygamous marriages, which have already been integrated into the state’s civil-law framework. Additionally, government service rules impose restrictions on second marriages.
Sarma indicated that similar protections may soon extend to women in the private sector, with a legislative measure under consideration to include private-sector employees in these regulations.
The proposal is aimed at ensuring that women who are abandoned by their husbands without a formal divorce are not left without financial support while their cases are being dealt with legally.
