Punjab Government will host "NRI Sangat Darshan Samellans" at Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Moga on the demand of NRIs in December and January and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will preside over the Samellans to redress their grievances on the spot.Announcing this NRI Minister Jathedar Tota Singh said that he had recently visited Canada and United Kingdom where Punjabi Diaspora extended unprecedented gratitude to SAD-BJP combine for fulfilling their aspirations and demands. The Minister said that he personally presided over 6 meetings with various delegations and representatives of Punjabi Diaspora during his visit where the Non Resident Punjabis demanded holding of Sangat Darshans to streamline and resolve the proceedings pertaining to their pending issues and litigations. Adding he said on their demand Punjab has decided to launch exclusive Sangat Darshan Program for Punjabi emigrants where all concerned officers from police, revenue, power and other civil administration would remain present to redress their grievances on the spot.
Accusing PPP chief Manpreet Badal for trying to garner people’s attention on the basis of false, ridiculous and unfortunate statements Jathedar Tota Singh said the Manpreet should have look into his own internal state of feelings on the issue since he was the real traitor who betrayed and befooled Punjabi Diaspora on the basis of false and baseless propaganda.
Coming down heavily at PPP chief NRI Affairs Minister said such statements reflects the frustration level of Manpreet who has nothing to do in these days besides making worthless issues. He asserted that ruling combine didn’t make castle in the air as it has practically fulfilled most of the promises made with Punjabi Diaspora while the remaining are under process. He asked Manpreet what he did for NRIs besides hauling out money from them on the basis of false, fake and anti-Punjab propaganda before assembly elections.
Lambasting at Manpreet, the Minister informed Punjab Government have fulfilled most of the promises including establishment of 15 separate police stations for NRIs, separate civil court at Jalandhar, 10 percent reservation in industrial and residential plots. Besides, 38 NRI Nambardars already have been appointed. Development scheme for ancestral villages/towns of NRIs have been revised from 50:50 to 75:25 basis and 72 Projects in 10 districts were completed whereas work on 30 projects in 6 districts was under progress. He informed that Punjab has delegated powers for embossing/stamping of power of attorneys to Deputy Commissioners for properties.He added that to help NRI’s in getting their urban properties evicted in amendment have been made amendments in Punjab Urban Rent Control Act for eviction of multiple properties for multiple times.
"To save Punjabi youth from migration related frauds and harassment, the Prevention of Human Trafficking/Smuggling Act has been enacted. Besides, compulsory Marriage Registration Act has also been enacted to safeguard NRI’s and daughters of Punjab from marriage related frauds, he said.Giving details of cases pertaining to NRIs, Mr. Tota Singh informed that there were 72 percent cases relating to ancestral property disputes within families, 15 percent cases relates to matrimonial disputes whereas more than 10 percent cases of criminal offences.Minister Tota Singh further said that to facilitate and expedite the registration of NRI marriages the power of marriage registration has been given to DCs, District Revenue Officers, Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars. The State Government has taken an initiative to provide security guards as per demand and requirement of the NRIs through PESCO on payment basis at reasonable rates to ensure the security to the life and property of the NRI Punjabis.
Giving more details he added that a scheme of issuing NRI Privilege Card has also been launched to recognize NRI status of Punjabi NRI’s and to provide them various Govt./Non-Govt. facilities like discount/ reservation etc. at various shops, Malls, Hospitals, Schools, Jewelry Shops. He said that Punjabi Diaspora can now easily get mobile SIM card while their visits to India. He said that SAD-BJP government is working on legal measures to be taken including coordinated efforts from concerned departments to help the legal conclusion of POs cases.He said Punjab had taken various initiatives to facilitate NRIs including separate NRI and women Wing of Punjab Police headed by IGP Rank Officer, dedicated police force, close monitoring of NRI cases by DIG/AIG, Nodal officer of Inspector Rank at NRI Wing Office to monitor each case besides supervision of NRI Police Stations along with time bound enquiry. The Minister said Punjab State Commission for NRIs had been formed for exclusively look into the problems faced by NRIs. He said Punjab will soon have NRI Sabha in each district for the facilitation of Punjabi Diaspora.Among others present on the occasion included Principal Secretary NRI Affairs Sanjay Kumar and Media Advisor to Deputy CM Jangveer Singh and Additional Secretary Amarpal Singh.