Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul has announced the abolition of the marriage tax and the digitization of document attestation procedures. The updates were revealed during a press conference held on Tuesday, January 21, at the Secretariat, where he also discussed the Supreme Court Judges Appointment Act and other contemporary issues.

Dr. Nazrul stated that the tax previously imposed on marriage registration has been deemed unnecessary and has now been abolished. Responding to queries about the effective date, he remarked, “I signed the order today. From now on, people can marry without paying any tax.”

The advisor also highlighted a significant change in the marriage registration form, replacing the term "virgin" with "unmarried" for women. He explained that the previous term was considered disrespectful and that this adjustment is part of broader efforts to address outdated practices. “We have made many small but impactful changes, and more reforms are being planned,” he added.

On the subject of document attestation, Dr. Nazrul explained that the Ministry of Law attests 36 types of documents. Since December 13, the entire attestation process has been shifted online. He noted that previously, citizens had to stand in long queues outside the ministry for manual attestation. Now, the online process allows them to complete the procedure within a couple of days from the comfort of their homes.

Additionally, the online attestation process has eliminated the need for Bangladeshi citizens to pay service fees at foreign embassies for further verification. Dr. Nazrul claimed that this reform is saving citizens an estimated 5 to 7 billion Bangladeshi taka annually.

The advisor also emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to introduce reforms in various areas of criminal procedure. He revealed that 15 to 20 areas have already been identified for improvement and expressed optimism that all necessary legal reforms would be completed within the next six months.

Dr. Nazrul further mentioned that the government has established a Judicial Commission to oversee the judiciary's organizational reforms. “We are working with their assistance to ensure coordination in implementing these changes,” he concluded.

Source: UNB