Lok Sabha Question No. 3577 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: NRI Marriages
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3577

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## NRI MARRIAGES

†3577. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the   number   of   cases   of   NRI   men,   who   fled   out   of   India   after marrying Indian girls that came to light during the last three years and the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to make significant changes in the law pertaining to NRI marriages; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the said law is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) This Ministry does not maintain the data relating to the number of NRI men, who fled India, after marrying Indian girls.  However, it has been receiving and redressing   grievances from women deserted by their NRI spouses from whole of India which pertains to abandonment, harassment, cheating, domestic violence by their spouses residing abroad, to ascertain whereabouts   of   NRI   husbands,   request   for   extradition,   deportation   of spouse to India, request for maintenance, support, divorce or child custody and request for legal and financial assistance to file a case against the NRI spouse.

The Government has taken following steps to address such issues;

- i) Between January, 2015 and 30 th  July, 2018 this Ministry (including the   Indian   Missions   abroad)  has   addressed  4257 complaints   of distressed Indian women deserted by their NRI spouses by way of providing   them counseling,   guidance   and   information   about procedures,   mechanisms   for   serving   judicial   summons   on   the Overseas Indian husband; filing a case in India, issuing Look Out Circulars;   impounding   and   revocation   of   Indian   passport   of   the husband; getting  access  to  lawyers  and   NGOs   empanelled   with Indian Missions etc.
2. ii)      With an aim to provide financial and legal assistance to distressed women married to NRI spouses by all Missions and Posts, the Indian Community   Welfare   Fund   (ICWF)   Guidelines   were   revised   in September, 2017.   The amount of legal & financial assistance to distressed Indian women has also been increased to US$ 4000 per

case.  The assistance is released to the empanelled legal counsel of the   applicant   or   Indian   Community   Association   /   Women's Organisation/NGO concerned to enable it to take steps to assist the woman in documentation and preparatory work for filing the case. (b) & (c) The Government has accepted the recommendation of the Expert Committee set up under the chairmanship of Justice Arvind Kumar Goel, ex-Chairperson, NRI Commission Punjab, to look into the issues and difficulties   faced   by   Indian   nationals   married   to   overseas   nationals   of Indian origin, and suggested amendments in existing laws/policies/regulation.   An   Integrated   Nodal   Agency   has   been   set   up under the Chairpersonship of Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development.  The   other   members   of   the   INA   are  a)   Joint   Secretary (Internal Security) & Joint Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs, b)   Joint   Secretary   (OIA-II),   Ministry   of   External   Affairs,   and   c)   Joint Secretary (Legal), Ministry of Law & Justice. The INA is functioning as an effective body and providing a single window timely solution to the problems of affected women. The INA has so far held eight meetings and has issued five Look Out Circulars against the erring spouses.

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