National

Ensure safety of Indian girls marrying NRIs, MPs tell Minister

NEW DELHI: A delegation of MPs, non-governmental organisations and women’s organisations has urged Minister of Overseas Indians Affairs (OIA) Vayalar Ravi to set up “Protector of Emigrant of Marriages” to ensure the safety and security of girls married to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).

The team, led by Congress MP V. Hanumantha Rao and consisting of MPs D. Raja (CPI) and Madhu Yaski Goud (Congress), also wanted free legal aid to be given to such women in the visiting country; translation of NRI marriage rules and regulations, issued by the OIA Ministry, into regional languages; OIA Ministry’s support to the community-based organisations and NGOs for sensitisation of rural/urban women on NRI marriages; and compulsory HIV test for NRI marriages.

They told Mr. Ravi that the procedure for issuing red corner notices against fugitive NRIs should be simplified and deportation formalities completed fast by impounding their passports.

Besides, the Ministry could create an interactive website to enable harassed women to approach the law enforcement agencies quickly; and make it compulsory for NRIs to register their marriage particulars with the Indian embassies/consulates concerned.

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