Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha recently that issues related to NRI women were taken seriously by the government and significant steps to address domestic violence, matrimonial disputes and abandonment after marriage were being implemented.

According to data from the government covering the last five years, a total of 1,617 complaints of abandonment by spouses have been filed by NRI women living abroad. The Ministry of External Affairs was also asked to provide information on married women left behind by their NRI husbands in India. Punjab had a large section of such women whose details would have to be furnished to the government for further action.

Singh said, “The data of Indian women whose husbands have left them alone in India and have settled abroad after marrying them are maintained [only] by the state governments/UT administrations. However, this Ministry maintains the data of NRI women who have allegedly been abandoned by their spouses in foreign land. As per the data collated from Indian Missions/Posts abroad, 1,617 complaints have been received from NRI women who have allegedly been abandoned by their spouses in the last five years. This Ministry does not maintain state-wise data of Indian women abandoned by their husbands abroad.”

When asked whether there were specific laws or regulations to protect Indian women from such exploitation, Singh said, “Cases of individuals who abandon their wives and leave them behind in India while they migrate abroad are dealt with by the state governments/UT administrations which are competent to tackle such offences under the extant provisions of the law.”

The Indian Missions or Posts abroad provided counselling, guidance and information to the aggrieved Indian women about legal procedures and mechanisms. It also interacted regularly with the members of Indian communities, associations, NGOs in the areas of their jurisdiction for dissemination of information regarding these facilities. Walk-in sessions and open house meetings for distressed Indians, including women, were conducted to address their grievances.

“Online consular assistance is provided to distressed Indian women through MADAD, CPGRAMS and social media,” the minister added.

Missions and Posts also maintained a 24×7 helpline where financial and legal assistance were provided under the Indian Community Welfare Fund to distressed NRI women. – editor@nrifocus.com