Recommended Separate cells with Indian embassies to address problem of NRI marriages

 

Special cells for problem NRI marriages
13 Aug, 2007, 2001 hrs IST, IANS

NEW DELHI: A government report on Monday recommended that special cells be set up with Indian missions abroad to address problem NRI marriages and that all marriages be registered so that women deserted by their husbands can fight their case effectively.

There is an urgent need to set up separate cells with Indian embassies to render necessary help in cases of problem NRI marriages, said the 12th report of the Committee on Empowerment of Women (2006-2007) on the "Plight of Indian women deserted by NRI husbands". The report was tabled in parliament on Monday.

The report stressed that all marriages irrespective of religion should compulsorily be registered. In marriages with NRIs, such registration would help a woman fight her case more effectively and the concerned Indian mission would be in a better position to track the erring NRI husband, it said.

It also suggested that the Indian Passport Act be amended to incorporate a provision where the erring husband's passport could be cancelled.

The report was based on inputs from the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, National Commission for Woman, NGOs and aggrieved women.

The committee recommended that marriage certificates for NRIs be issued in duplicate to facilitate the deserted woman to fight her legal battle even if the original certificate was taken away by her husband on the pretext of getting a visa or updating other travel formalities.

A majority of the committee members felt that the services of various Indian associations should be utilised for getting complete background details of a prospective NRI bridegroom, including his marital and citizenship status.

The report added that of the budgetary allocation earmarked for the welfare of women, a suitable amount be apportioned for dealing with the problems relating to fraudulent NRI marriages.