NCW recommends compulsory maintenance to deserted wives

Irrespective of whether a man has sufficient means of income or not, after separating from his wife, he will have to provide maintenance to her, according to new guidelines being framed by the National Commission for Women (NCW).

Irrespective of whether a man has sufficient means of income or not, after separating from his wife, he will have to provide maintenance to her, according to new guidelines being framed by the National Commission for Women (NCW).

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"In a majority of cases as per the present law, the man cites insufficient means and escapes giving maintenance to his wife after separation. To address this, we feel that the term 'sufficient means' should be deleted as it is a man's duty to maintain his wife, children and parents irrespective of his means," NCW chairperson Girija Vyas told reporters on Tuesday.

The proposed recommendations to amend Section 125 to 127 of the Code of Criminal Procedure dealing with maintenance of wife, children and parents are based on suggestions made by noted lawyers and academicians.

The NCW will send the new guidelines to the central government by November 4. The new guidelines also propose providing alimony to women in live-in relationships.

"It was felt that the definition of 'wife' should be expanded to include such cases where a woman has lived with the man in a relationship in nature of marriage," Vyas said.