Build database against NRI marriage traps: Ruby Dhalla

The Punjab government should build a central database of marriage registrations to verify the credentials of NRIs seeking to marry in India,said Canadian Member of Parliament Ruby Dhalla here today.

Addressing a press conference,Dhalla said,“The issue of fraud marriages is very serious,and after visiting many cities and villages in Punjab and meeting people,I have come to know more about it. I met some 60 women in Ramoowalia village who were deserted by their husbands. Marriage is not a business. The men come,marry,and go back never to return as they are already married abroad. That is why I have advocated that a central database of marriage registrations should be created by the Punjab government so that credentials of any NRI who has come back here for marriage can be checked. This,I also told Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Also,a marriage should be immediately registered and both husband and wife should sign. When an NRI comes,the girl’s family can check the credentials of the boy and vice versa,as many cases have come to me where girls have duped boys. I have raised the same issue back in the Canadian parliament also,and asked the concerned minister about the number of people duped so far,but have not got any reply.”

“The other problem is of marriages of convenience,as people get married to NRIs and then desert them as soon as they land abroad — at the airport,at times. I met the consulate general of Canada in Chandigarh and told him that an awareness campaign should be started in this regard so that people know about it,” she added.

Dhalla said,“I also appeal to the NRIs that they should come forward and contribute towards education back in Punjab and we should contribute towards building schools so that kids can be taught,as children are our future.”

“I meet Badal (senior) and requested him that a co-chair should be set up in the NRI Commission,to which an NRI should be appointed,as the problems of NRIs can only be understood by an NRI,” she said.