Government employees will not be allowed to remarry if spouse is alive; strict action if violated

DISPUR: Government of Assam has clarified that government employees will not be eligible for a second marriage if their spouse is alive. Such people will need special permission from the state government to get married. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that strict action will be taken against those who violate the order. He informed that it has been decided to strictly follow the order since there is a dispute over the payment of pension to the two wives of a deceased government employee.

An office memorandum of the personnel department states that a government employee whose wife is alive should not remarry without the permission of the government. However, it has no mention of divorce criteria. Personnel Additional Chief Secretary Neeraj Verma had issued a notification in this regard on October 20. The guidelines were issued under the provisions of Rule 26 of the Assam Civil Services Rules, 1965.

'As far as our service rules are concerned, no employee under the state government is eligible for a second marriage. If some religions allow second marriage, they should seek permission from the state government. There are cases where both spouses fight over the pension after the death of the employee. Those disputes are very difficult to resolve. Many widows are denied pensions due to conflicting claims. This rule was already there but we did not follow it. Now it is being implemented strictly'- Neeraj Verma said.