Panel Discussion by Womennovator & Vasavya Mahila Mandali on Reformation of Maintenance Law

New Delhi, India - A panel discussion on the reformation of maintenance laws in India was organized by Womennovator & Vasavya Mahila Mandali at the Constitutional Club of India on Tuesday, March 23, 2023. The event was attended by prominent politicians, legal experts, and activists who shared their thoughts on the issues surrounding maintenance laws in India.

The event started with the guest speaker, Ms. Tripti Shinghal Somani, Founder, Womennovator. highlighted how Womennovator is making a positive difference in the lives of women by giving them the power to take control of their own lives and become financially independent. Through resources and assistance, Womennovator is helping women entrepreneurs to establish their own businesses and achieve self-reliance.

Through their initiatives, Womennovator is also promoting gender equality by breaking down traditional gender roles and encouraging women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. This not only benefits individual women but also helps to create a more inclusive and diverse society.

Mr. A Raja, a Member of Parliament from Tamil Nadu and former Union Minister, spoke about how leaders feel imprisoned when they are unable to execute a bill. He expressed confidence that a bill for women to have equal rights would surely come into effect by some leader. He stressed that women could file a suit for maintenance to a PCR, and a body could be created by law. Only one appeal in the High Court would be given, and Section 125 stated that immediate action should be taken to confiscate the property and money in case of an emergency.

Ms. Fauzia Khan, a Member of Parliament from Maharashtra, emphasized the importance of early education to stop the social issue of ill-treatment towards women. She highlighted the Women's Reservation Bill, which proposes a 33 percent reservation for women in Lok Sabha, to uplift women in Indian politics. She also quoted examples of other countries where the percentage reservation is quite high.

Mr.D.Chakrapani, IAS (Retd), Andhra Pradesh, highlighted the need for maintenance-related issues to find a place in every law at the state level. He stressed that the procedures were often delayed, and they must be made shorter. He suggested spreading online procedures, making Lok Adalat proactive, collecting data instantly and working on it, and taking proceedings directly by people. He emphasized that lawyers were not needed, and execution petitions would only delay things.

Advocate Sharvan K Giri emphasized the importance of providing maintenance for family members and proposed reforms such as disposing of interim matters within 60 days. He also highlighted that wives should receive the basic needs and lifestyle they had before, even after divorce. Women in live-in relationships facing abuse or violence can apply for maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC.

The panel collectively agreed that education about gender equality and equal rights for women should begin at an early stage in schools. They also supported the Women's Reservation Bill, which aims to uplift women in Indian politics. The panellists also stressed the need to collect data and shorten the procedures, spread online procedures, and make Lok Adalat proactive. They also suggested creating a body by law and collecting complete disclosure of the funds and assets of six months before marriage.

The event was concluded by a small felicitation ceremony and token of appreciation followed by a vote of thanks by Ms. Gunjan Arora.