Govt mulls law to protect NRI's wives

Govt is examining a draft convention submitted by Women's commission on safeguarding Indian girls married to NRIs.

Government is examining a draft convention submitted by the National Commission for Women on safeguarding Indian girls married to NRIs, including compulsory registration of such marriages, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

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The commission has also recommended that the government signs bilateral agreements with countries with large Indian Diaspora in this regard and monitor conciliation process for settlement of marital disputes between Indian girls and their NRI grooms, Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Jagdish Tytler said during question hour.

Replying to a question by CPI (M) MP Hannan Mollah, Tytler said the women's panel has also suggested steps for proper distribution of property under the law in case of divorce. The panel also recommended treating of suppression of marital status by NRI grooms under criminal law.

Among the recommendations are an amendment to the Foreign Marriage Act, 1969, and provision of easy access to embassies and consulates for aggrieved wives of NRI husbands, he said.

The minister said that the Govt, in consultation with concerned ministries, is examining recommendations of the women's commission.