The ministry has also come up with a booklet on the issue, titled ‘’Marriages to Overseas Indians” which discusses about the safeguards available to women who are abandoned by their NRI partners, the booklet offers solutions that are available.
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has decided to support deserted and divorced Indian women abroad by providing them money ranging from 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh as an aid to support the legal fight against their NRI husbands“. The same will be released to the empanelled legal counsel of the applicant or Indian community association or women’s organization or NGO concerned to enable it to take steps to assist the woman in documentation and preparatory work for filing the case,” said a ministry official.. ‘’ The scheme would be available to Indian women who have been deserted by their overseas Indian or foreign husbands or are facing divorce proceedings in a foreign country, ‘’ he said.
But if any criminal cases are charged against the women, then she won’t be eligible to receive the amount. The scheme carries certain conditions such as the marriage of the woman has to be sanctified in India or abroad with an NRI or foreigner, while the woman is deserted in India or abroad within 15 years of the marriage. “Besides, assistance will be made available in such cases wherein an ex-parte divorce has been obtained by the overseas Indian or foreign husband within 20 years of marriage and a case for maintenance and alimony is to be filed by her,” said the ministry official. The ministry has also come up with a booklet on the issue, titled ‘’Marriages to Overseas Indians” which discusses about the safeguards available to women who are abandoned by their NRI partners, the booklet offers solutions that are available.