GUWAHATI: Addressing the people of Assam on the 80th Independence Day, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced measures to ensure financial support and dignity for wives abandoned or entering into extra marital affairs by government employees without a legal divorce.
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Speaking at the Veterinary College Ground in Khanapara after the national flag hoisting on Saturday, August 15, he said that there will be a 20% salary cut of any employee that engages in an extra-marital affair, which would be set aside for the legal wife.
"If a government employee abandons his first wife without legally divorcing her and enters into an informal marriage with another woman, 20% of his salary will be deducted and deposited directly into the first wife's account, upon her application to the government, so that she can live with dignity,” the CM said.
He said that his government is also proposing a legislation to extend this protection to employees in the private sector.