No-dowry affidavit sought from govt servants married after March 31, 2004

LUCKNOW : All government servants In Uttar Pradesh who were married after March 31, 2004, have been asked to submit an affidavit declaring that they did not receive any dowry in their marriage, according to a recent circular issued by the department of women’s welfare.

The circular, issued on October 12 to all the heads of departments, commissioners and DMs among others, has asked them to mail affidavits on a given mail id by October 18. The authorities have been requested to take action against the personnel who do not file the desired affidavit.

“This is probably for the first time when our department has sought no-dowry affidavit from government servants in a serious bid to get the provisions of the anti-dowry law enforced in the state,” said director, women’s welfare, Manoj Rai.

Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, all public servants across the country are mandated to furnish an affidavit at the time of joining, stating that they will not receive dowry when they get married. “Now, we have asked employees who got married after March 31, 2004 to furnish an affidavit stating that they did not receive any dowry when they were married,” he said.

The UP framed Dowry Prohibition Rules ( as a follow-up to the Centre’s Act) in 1999 after which it amended rules on March 31, 2004 ,specifically providing in Rule 5 that every government servant will, during his appoint, furnish a self-attested affidavit to the appointing authority, stating that he received no dowry in his marriage.

“You are, therefore, requested to necessarily obtain an affidavit from all the government servants posted in offices under you by October 18. with the affidavit stating that they received no dowry in their marriage,” the circular tells the HoDs and others, adding “Please ensure action against employees who do not give an affidavit to this effect.”

People who were in the know of things also said that the department of women’s welfare was also scheduled to submit a report on compliance of ‘no-dowry’ affidavit submission and action taken for non-compliance to a Parliament legislative committee that was likely to visit the state soon.

Dowry that is termed as a social evil is illegal in the country under the anti-dowry law, according to which any act of taking or giving dowry is punishable with in imprisonment up to five years and fine of Rs 15,000 or the value of the dowry given, whichever is higher.

The circular seeking no-dowry affidavit is said to have put many government personnel into a quandary.

This is probably for the first time when our department has sought no-dowry affidavit from government servants in a serious bid to get the provisions of the anti-dowry law enforced MANOJ RAI,

director, women’s welfare