The Haryana government has announced to launch crusade against the dowry, a social vice that claim innocent lives in most of the cases.
The campaign aims to build social resistance against dowry demands and create awareness around the legal consequences of demanding or giving dowry.
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting to strengthen enforcement of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and directed all district administrations to intensify the awareness campaigns and enforcement mechanism against dowry.
He observed that many families continue to face emotional, financial and social pressure due to dowry practices, making a collective societal action essential.
The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Home Department, Education Department, Women and Child Development Department, Haryana State Legal Services Authority and others.
The review was held in compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court of India in State of UP versus Ajmal Beg and Others, wherein all the states were directed to ensure effective implementation of anti-dowry laws, appointment and training of Dowry Prohibition Officers (DPO) and large-scale public awareness initiatives.
The Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) across Haryana have already been designated as DPOs under a state government notification issued in October 2015.
He emphasised that these officers must remain proactive in handling complaints, spreading awareness and coordinating with law enforcement agencies for timely action.
During the meeting, Rastogi stressed the need for a coordinated and people-centric strategy to curb dowry-related harassment and offences.
He directed that the roles and responsibilities of DPOs be clearly defined to ensure accountability and effective implementation of the law.
The Deputy Commissioners across the state were directed to launch extensive awareness campaigns in coordination with the Haryana State Legal Services Authority, particularly targeting youth, educational institutions and rural communities.
To strengthen the accessibility and grievance redressal mechanism, the names, contact numbers and official email IDs of DPOs were to be prominently displayed and widely publicised at district and sub-divisional levels so that victims and their families can easily approach authorities for assistance.
Rastogi also directed that complaints registered under Section 304-B relating to dowry deaths and Section 498-A concerning cruelty against married women be examined carefully from the earliest stage to ensure timely justice for genuine victims while ensuring expeditious disposal of cases.
Citizens facing dowry-related harassment, intimidation or unlawful demands have been urged to report such incidents without fear to the nearest DPO, local administration, police authorities or Women and Child Development officials.
The government reiterated that strict action will be taken against persons found demanding dowry or harassing women and their families.
The DPOs have been directed to conduct extensive awareness drives at village, block and district levels through anganwadi networks and community outreach programmes to educate citizens, particularly youth, women and parents, about the legal and social consequences of dowry practices.
In this regard, the Women & Child Development Department has already conducted around 17,000 awareness camps across the state.
The Commissioner& Secretary, Women & Child Development Department Shekhar Vidyarthi informed that the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), Gurugram, has been requested to organise structured training programmes for DPOs focusing on legal provisions, coordination with police authorities, victim support systems and prompt intervention in complaints related to dowry harassment.
