In a paradigm shift from the earlier practice of holding NRI meets annually, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today held a maiden Sangat Darshan exclusively for direct interface with Non Resident Punjabis (NRPs) to redress the problems faced by these sons of the soil in a far more effective manner. This initiative of the state government got an overwhelming response from the Punjabi Diaspora as the venue of this first ever NRI Sangat Darshan was packed with the NRPs hailing from eight districts of Moga, Bathinda, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Mansa, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Barnala. In order to ensure on the spot solution of the problems faced by these NRIs the top brass of Police and Civil administration from these districts were deployed at the venue of this function. As many as 11 departments of the state government had installed their stalls in the exhibition ground for making the people especially the NRPs aware about the path breaking initiatives taken by the SAD-BJP alliance government for their welfare.
The out of the box initiative of the state government to hold Sangat Darshan exclusively for the NRPs proved a boon for the Punjabis settled abroad as for several hours the Chief Minister personally interacted with the NRIs during the Sangat Darshan in the presence of the top brass of the state government and passed on the necessary directions to the officers/ officials for the immediate resolution of their issues. For almost the entire day, Badal sat at the venue while giving a patient hearing to the grievances of hundreds of NRPs. Announcing that these Sangat Darshans would also be replicated in Jalandhar and Ludhiana, the Chief Minister said that the sole aim of this entire exercise was to ensure quick disposal of services to the NRIs at their doorsteps. He said that seven districts each would be cover in these Sangat Darshans, which would ensure the well being of NRPs in the state.
Badal said that he had opted for holding these Sangat Darshans to ensure that the NRP brethren, who had proved their mettle across the globe, do not face any sort of problem back at home.During the Sangat Darshan, Chief Minister asked the officers/ officials to accord top priority to complaints received during the Sangat Darshan for there immediate resolution. He said that the concerned Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police must ensure that this pro-people exercise was result oriented, so that the NRPs do not face any sort of problem in future. Badal also asked the NRI Affairs Minister Jathedar Tota Singh to conduct periodic review meetings later on to take stock of the pendency list of all these matters. Highlighting the importance of this Sangat Darshan program, the Chief Minister said that it was on record that this flagship program of the state government has always been instrumental in mitigating the woes of common people. He said that the concept of Sangat Darshan was an integral part of state’s governance as it virtually brought the government at the doorsteps of people thereby bridging the communication gap between the masses and administration, which normally hindered the process of progress. Mr. Badal further said that besides acting as a catalyst for redressing the grievances of people, the Sangat Darshan programs were also helpful for the state government to adjudge the working of officers of the various departments. “The Sangat Darshan helps us to evaluate the performance of the officers which further facilitates us to provide effective, accountable and transparent governance to the people” he added