The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), in partnership with the National Commission for Women (NCW) organised a regional workshop on 'Problems relating to NRI marriages and suggested measures' in Chandigarh on June 20-21, 2006.

The workshop was attended by representatives from MOIA, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), NCW, legal experts, media and NGOs.

The first day revolved around panel discussions on international conventions and bilateral treaties, issues in relation to exparte decrees in foreign courts and review of the existing legislation/ enactments. Besides there were three working groups to dela with the following issues:

1) International conventions and bilateral treaties issue relating to ex parte decrees.

2) A comprehensive legislation on NRI marriages

3) Strategies in tackling violations/creating social awareness, counselling and implementation of safeguards, institutional and other arrangements.

The groups included representatives from MOIA, MEA, NCW, legal experts and NGOs. MOIA's team in the working groups and panel discussions was headed by the Director, Social Services Sandhya Shukla.

The second day started with presentation by the victims and a research paper. The main point raised by the victims was the utter lack of sensitisation in the police to understand their problems.

The need for sensitisation of various authorities in foreign land as well as locally was doubly emphasized. This was followed by the speeches of various dignitaries.

NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas stressed the need for enacting a comprehensive legislation within the framework of Indian laws to tackle the problems related to NRI marriages and for an awareness campaign to educate the people in this direction.

She disclosed that the problems related to NRI marriages could not be tackled effectively for lack of treaties with various countries. She stated that all certificates for NRI marriages be issued in duplicate and must compulsorily include the social security number of husband.
The Commission will demand the creating of exclusive cells in every Indian high commission and embassy to provide legal assistance and monetary support to abandoned brides in the countries of residence of their absconding spouses.

Three more such workshops would be organised in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi in the near future.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the problems relating to marriages with NRIs could not be solved only through legislation but also by creating an awakening and changing the mind-set of the people.

As compared to Haryana, the problem in neighbouring Punjab was alarming where 15,000 such cases were said to be registered.

Haryana Health Minister Kartari Devi, Punjab Revenue and NRI Affairs Minister Amarjeet Singh Samra, Punjab Women and Child Development Minister Gurkanwar Kaur, former Union Minister Balwant Singh Romoowalia, Punjab Women Commission chairperson Parminder Kaur and MOIA Secretary Nirmal Singh also spoke on the occasion.

The MOIA Secretary stated that the Ministry has been considering this issue very seriously and the Minister has directed the Ministry to launch an awareness programme regarding this.

The Ministry is also considering a proposal for establishing Overseas Indian Centres in the United States, Gulf and Malaysia to start with, for these are the places where there is a significant Indian population.

These Centres will extend counseling facilities with the help of professional counselors to those who face the problem of fake, fraudulent or failed marriages.

Nirmal Singh said that the state governments should also launch a wide publicity campaign through various channels to educate the rural peasantry. NGOs can also play a very active role in educating the people regarding the risk they are taking if they enter into such alliances without proper verification, he said.