The Hindu : National : NCW wants special law for NRI issues

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NCW wants special law for NRI issues

Aarti Dhar

Should address matrimonial issues, maintenance, adoption: Vyas
‘About 331 complaints filed by women against NRI husbands in a year’

NEW DELHI: National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Girija Vyas on Thursday suggested that there be a comprehensive separate legislation for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) affairs. This should address matrimonial issues, maintenance of spouses and children, child custody, adoption, settlement of matrimonial property and transfer of property.

“The government should effectively represent to governments of all foreign countries, more specifically where there is a big NRI presence, to give effect to the spirit of Article 10 of Hague Convention of 1968 and judgments Convention of European Community 1968 which gives the freedom to contracting nations to refuse to recognise a divorce or legal separation passed in a foreign country,” Ms. Vyas said at a press conference here.

Harassment complaints

As many as 331 complaints were filed by women against their NRI husbands in a year, Ms. Vyas said.

About 331 women approached the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs with complaints of harassment by their husbands settled abroad. According to Ms. Vyas, the highest number of 87 cases was reported from Punjab followed by 59 from Delhi and 32 from Andhra Pradesh.

“Country-wise, the highest, 130 complaints were against NRIs settled in the U.S. followed by 44 from the U.K. and 37 from Canada,” she said.

The NRI cell, formed by the NCW in August 2009, has received 177 complaints. Action has been taken in 125 of the 177 complaints received by the cell. About seven cases have been put on hold on the request of the complainant.

Abandonment, divorce

The cell was launched to tackle the problem of increasing cases of abandonment and divorce of women married to overseas Indians.

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