Need steps to rein in ‘truant’ NRI grooms: Cong to Centre
new delhi/chandigarh: A delegation of Congress MPs led by PPCC chief and MP Sunil Jakhar met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and raised the problems being faced by passport and student visa seekers. They also discussed the issue of “truant” NRI grooms during the meeting in New Delhi today.Accompanied by fellow MPs Ravneet Bittu and Gurjit Aujla, Jakhar said many NRI men visited India to marry Indian girls and returned after taking dowry, leaving their wives in the lurch. “Many of these men are already married abroad, rendering their marriage in India null and void,” he added.He suggested that the Ministry of External Affairs should put in place a foolproof mechanism to ascertain their marital status. He said, “Sushma assured a website on which summons to NRI grooms will be uploaded and if they do not respond their property in India can be attached.”Jakhar also raised the problems faced by people at passport kendras. He said there were about six passport kendras in the state, but applicants continue to suffer. Some of them were forced to travel 200 km for verification of documents.“While the facility of online submission of applications is available, the applicants are asked to visit for a physical verification on the appointed date. What aggravates their woes is that they are often sent back for failing to enclose all requisite documents,” he said.He urged Sushma to issue directions to the centres to apprise the applicants about any shortcoming in their application through e-mail before the appointment.Apprising the minister of the problems faced by youth migrating to Australia, New Zealand and Canada on student visa, Jakhar said they were dependent on services rendered by private agents. He said at least in these three countries, where a number of Indian students migrate every year, information about recognised colleges, courses and fee structure be provided on the website of the ministry.
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