Panel Recommends Measures to Protect NRI Marriages

All Indian marriages, irrespective of religion, are required to be registered as proof of marriage. The parliamentary panel recommendations come in the wake of rising cases of desertions by NRI husbands.

A marriage registration certificate validating the marriage would enable embassies to keep tabs on erring NRI husbands.

The “Plight of Indian Women Deserted by NRI Husbands” report tabled in the Lok Sabha has also recommended that marriage certificates should be made in duplicate so that the wife can show her copy if the need arises.

The Passport Act also needs to be amended to include photographs of the
spouse and add a clause providing for cancellation of the passport of the
erring NRI husband.

The Committee on Empowerment of Women has called upon
the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to define and adopt a strategy
to deal with the growing problem of NRI marriages.

The Committee has approached the External Affairs Ministry to introduce
an affidavit which would be submitted by the NRI stating his economic,
marital and citizenship status before he gets married.

International legal assistance could also be sought through the signing
of mutual legal assistance treaties, extradition treaties, and signing
The Hague Convention, suggested the Committee.