Section 3 in The Punjab Dowry Prohibition Rules, 2004
3. Additional functions to be performed by the Dowry Prohibition Officer.
- Apart from the functions conferred under clauses (a), (b) and (c) of sub- section (2) of Section 8-B, the Dowry Prohibition Officer shall perform the following additional functions, namely :-(a)He shall endeavour to create awareness not to give and take dowry among the public by various means.(b)He shall maintain a register for the purpose of the Act to record all complaints, enquiries and the results thereof and other relevant information connected therewith in Form No. I and shall also maintain separate files containing relevant records of each individual case.(c)He shall act as a Member Secretary-cum-Convener of the Advisory Board and shall maintain regular contact with the members of the Advisory Board. He shall send a copy of the proceedings of each meeting of the Advisory Board, within a fortnight from the date of meeting to the District Magistrate with a copy to the State Government for information and necessary action.(d)He shall discharge his duties with due care, decorum, privacy and in a manner to uphold the dignity and harmony of family relationships.(e)The approach of the Dowry Prohibition Officer shall primarily be suggestive, preventive and remedial nature and he will recommend prosecution only as a last resort when all other measures prove to be ineffective.(f)He shall scrutinize the complaint and if it is found that the nature and the contents of the complaint apparently fall within the purview of Sections 3 or 4 or 4A or 5 or 6 he shall immediately conduct an enquiry to collect such evidence from the parties as to the genuineness of the complaint. In case the complaint is found to be genuine, then he shall conduct investigation and collect such evidence, either orally or in writing from the parties or witnesses or he can fix up a hearing of the parties and witnesses in his office or at a place convenient to him without causing inconvenience or hardship to the parties.(g)He shall send quarterly reports to the Director, in Form-II and intimate the parties and witnesses of the date, time and place of hearing of the complaint in Form-III. Every complaint shall be enquired into within a period of one month from the date of its receipt.(h)For the purpose of inquiring any complaint, the Dowry Prohibition Officer may seek the help and services of the Probation Officer of the area concerned in order to collect any relevant information. The Probation Officer shall provide necessary information as and when the same is required by the Dowry Prohibition Officer.(i)The Dowry Prohibition Officer may also seek assistance from any Police Officer while discharging his functions and duties under these rules.
