NREC Consults on Marriage (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan, 2024
The Natural Resources and Environment Committee (NREC)
conducted consultations on the Marriage (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan, 2024, in
Guma Gewog under Punakha Dzongkhag on August 26, and in Nyisho Gewog under
Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag on August 28, 2024.
During these consultations, key issues discussed
included Chapter 1, which addresses the cooling period for obtaining a marriage
certificate, currently set at one year after the death of a spouse, and Chapter
3, which covers the payment of compensation (Gaow).
Additionally, Chapter 5, which currently requires the
party seeking a divorce on the grounds of negligence to bear the separation
costs and Chapter 7, concerning rules for the maintenance and expenditure for
children’s upbringing, were also discussed.
The committee will continue consultations in other
Dzongkhags until September 10. The review report will be presented for
deliberations in the upcoming winter session of the National Council.
The consultation tour is supported financially by
RENEW (Respect, Educate, Nurture, and Empower Women) and Save the Children.
