Ranchi: Governor Ramesh Bais on Sunday participated in a mass marriage function organised in the Khunti district of the state. Addressing the function virtually he extended his best wishes to the newly married couples and said that in some of the areas of the state due to some reason live-in is common. He said that Jharkhand has a very rich culture and has its special identity at the world level however there are some social issues that need to be addressed.
He said that he was surprised to know that many couples due to poverty are not able to marry and ended up staying in live-in because as per the local customs marriage functions range from three days to five days and in this feast has to be also organised. He said that he will not hesitate to say that feast should not be compulsory and it should be given by own intentions and as per the economic condition of the family.
The Governor said that he was also surprised to know that women who live in such relationships have to also face problems in collecting water from the public well and hand pumps while in many communities ear piercing of the girls is not done, moreover the women and the children due to lack of proper documents are denied opportunities of taking advantage of government schemes.
The Governor said that steps that have been taken to fight other social evils including untouchability witchcraft child marriages at same time steps also needed to take to address this social issue. He said that one of the main reasons for this social problem is caste complexities over which people need to think seriously.
The Governor said that effort should be made to identify such couples who are in live-in and as per the customs their marriage should be done. He suggested that a dedicated cell can be also constituted and the marriage of such couples can be held at Panchayat or Gram Sabha level and they can be given social recognition.
He said that the district administration should also show its active work and should identify such couples and give them the advantages of the Kanyadan scheme or other government schemes, further they should be also provided with ration cards and birth certificates of their children should be also made. He said that these tribal couples can also be linked with various livelihood schemes and their skills can be also enhanced.