RS defers bill to grant wives more share in husband's property

New Delhi: Consideration of a Bill that  grants married women more share in the immovable property of their husbands was deferred in the Rajya Sabha till tomorrow. The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010, to further amend the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and the Special Marriage  Act, 1954 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha last year but was deferred on grounds certain provisions in it could be “dangerous” for women. [caption id=“attachment_1054393” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image of bride. AFP[/caption] The Bill will, however, be taken up tomorrow for further discussion before its passage.   The Bill seeking to give the wife more share in husband’s immovable residential property and make divorce easier was  moved by Law Minister Kapil Sibal for passage in the Upper  House but the move was scuttled by opposition members, mainly from BJP, on the ground that it required further discussion on the amendments made. As Sibal sought passage of the Bill, members objected to the amended provisions of the Bill saying it required to be  discussed as it was “important”. Sibal said the Bill has been discussed and the amendments brought in are based on the suggestions given by the members  during discussions and hence be passed. Piyush Goel (BJP) demanded the Bill be sent back to the Standing Committee while Najma Heptullah said the amendments  required to be discussed before being passed. P Rajeev (CPI-M) also demanded the Bill be discussed first.   Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the Bill had been discussed earlier and it had come back after incorporating a few amendments. PTI