New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS): More than 450 women deserted by their overseas Indian spouses have been helped by the government through monetary assistance and legal support, the ministry of overseas Indian affairs said Tuesday.

In 2007, the ministry had introduced a scheme under which women deserted by their overseas spouses were given assistance of $1,500 per case.

In 2011, the scheme was reviewed and further liberalised. The monetary assistance was raised to $3,000 per case in developed countries and $2,000 per case in developing countries. Women who are living in India following their desertion were also made eligible for aid.

The revised scheme has taken into account suggestions made by the National Commission for Women.

It is being implemented in Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Kuwait, Malaysia, Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Britain and the US, said an official statement.

The ministry extends legal and financial support to Indian women for various purposes from the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).

The Indian missions abroad also provide assistance such as counselling, financial assistance from the ICWF.