Govt says NCW proposals for stiffer dowry laws being studied

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) The Government today said it was considering National Commission for Women's recommendation for amending the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and section 304B IPC.

Minister of State for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that the recommendations were at present under examination in her ministry and no time frame for a final decision could be given at this stage.

Replying to a query about the "large misuse" of these laws, Ms Chowdhury said as per data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau, the number of such cases registered and those declared false on account of mistake of fact or law was 21,431 and 974 in 2004, 17,9568 and 19,013 in 2005 and 11,300 and 615 respectively in 2006.

Regarding setting up of special courts to try offences against women, the Minister said the matter had been left to the initiative of state governments.

UNI SD SP HT1437