When laws are made for man

No matter how strict the law, any law sticks with the people only when the administrators have a sense that it is ultimately created for man. The two best decisions taken by the state government in the last few days prove the excellence of the law. The wild boar menace, experienced by families living close to the forest areas, has been threatening the livelihood of the people in the area for some time. The decision of the Cabinet to empower the local bodies to exterminate wild boars that pose a threat to life, property and agriculture is very relevant in the present situation. Another administrative measure that should be commended is the decision to allow marriage registration of a deceased couple by relaxing the Marriage Registration Act after the sole heir of the couple was denied a dependent pension due to the absence of the parents' marriage certificate.

It was argued in the cabinet that the power to shoot wild boar should be limited to those local bodies adjacent to the forest boundaries. This proposal was not approved in the discussions. The state decided to go ahead with its own action after the Centre rejected the state's demand to take action after declaring the wild boar as a vermin. Wild boar infestation is rampant in forested areas.

The power given to local bodies to shoot wild boars should be exercised discreetly. Special care must be taken not to endanger other animals and humans in the name of exterminating wild boars.

Minister MV Govindan intervened in a humane manner and relaxed the law in connection with the incident where the son of a deceased couple was denied a dependent pension due to the absence of the marriage certificate of his parents. The minister facilitated the registration of the marriage that took place 53 years ago. Bhaskaran Nair, a soldier and Kamalam were married on June 4, 1969 at the Kodumba Subramanya Swamy Temple. The marriage was not registered as it was not mandatory at that time. Kamalam died 24 years ago and Bhaskakaran Nair died seven years ago. When Gopakumar, their disabled son, applied for his father's family pension, he found out that the army did not have any family details. He sought a way to register his parents' marriage, knowing that he was likely to get a pension if marriage documents are provided. Finally, minister MV Govindan intervened and sought the advice of the Law Department. They recommended that registration be granted in view of the fact that registration was not mandatory at the time of marriage. So the Minister gave permission. That is how the law was relaxed and the marriage registration of Bhaskaran Nair-Kamala couple was allowed. Their son can now claim the dependent pension by producing this marriage certificate. Such applications are usually rejected by all government departments. Minister MV Govindan revealed his sublime love for humanity by facilitating the registration of the marriage of the deceased couple.