Port Blair, May 9: Under the able guidance of the Chief Secretary, Shri Jitendra Narain, the A&N Administration is continuously in pursuit to make the services being offered by the A&N Administration citizen friendly.

Until now the officers were designated as Registrars under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, as such no marriages were being registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

In this connection the A&N Administration vide its notification dated 05th May 2022 in pursuance of the provisions of clause (d) of Rule 2 of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Hindu Marriage Registration Rules, 1958, and supersession of the Administration’s Notification No.AN/HMRR/2(d)/1/58 dt. 31st July 1958, has appointed the following officers as Registrars for the purpose of said rules to exercise jurisdiction in the areas specified against each of them with immediate effect:-

Additional District Magistrate, Port Blair - South Andaman District, Port Blair

Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur - Diglipur Tehsil

Assistant Commissioner, Mayabunder - Mayabunder Tehsil

Assistant Commissioner, Rangat - Rangat Tehsil

Assistant Commissioner, Nicobar - Car Nicobar

Assistant Commissioner, Nancowry - Nancowry

Assistant Commissioner, Campbell Bay - Campbell Bay

With the publication of the above notification the long pending demand of large section of the general public in these islands to get their marriages registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, at their respective places has been fulfilled. The above arrangement has been put to place for the purpose of facilitating proof of Hindu marriages. The benefits of registration of marriages under this Act is also applicable to all Hindus, Buddhists, Jainas and Sikhs.

As of now all marriages were solemnised/registered under Special Marriage Act, 1954, wherein the intending parties have to wait for a period of 30 days as notice period calling for claims and objections. In sharp contrast to this provision now under Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, married people residing within the jurisdiction of the Registrar for the local area for a period of not less than thirty days immediately preceding the date of application for marriage registration are eligible to apply for registration and the same shall be done without any delay.