Punjab Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today launched a single click solution web portal dedicated to the Punjabi diaspora on the eve of NRI Sammelan-2014 which will be held on January 10 and 11 at Sri Anandpur Sahib and Jalandhar.
Launching www.nripunjab.gov.in web portal, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal accompanied by Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, NRIs Affairs Minister informed that on January 10 there would be an interactive session at Virasat-E-Khalsa complex, where elected representatives from all six continents would participate to give suggestions and feedback on the policies and programs of the Punjab Government. He informed that 3 Union Ministers of Punjab origin from Canadian Government would take part in the NRI Sammelan besides 15 MPs , 7 MLAs, Mayors, 32 Journalists and 11 chiefs of Gurdwara committees. He said an open session would be held at Bath Castle Jalandhar on January 11, where NRIs from various continents would deliberate on NRI issues.
The Deputy CM said the NRI Sammelan this year would witness three times more participation than last year. He also lauded the quality of participation of the Sammelan which he said was better than that of the centre's Pravasi Bhartiya Sammelan. He gave credit for the same to the "young and dynamic NRI minister Bikram Majithia". Disclosing that the Punjab government was contemplating to establish a dedicated and separate civil setup for the facilitation of civil matters pertaining to NRIs, Badal said they had initiated the proceedings in this regard and Punjab would soon have a Special Fast Track Court for the cases of NRIs and civil setup with civil powers to the authority concerned. He said separation of NRI Police wing from main stream brought good results with the increase in cases which were 1200 in 2012 and 3000 in 2013 out of which 2100 complaints had been sorted out. He said in future there would be a complete separate system for civil matters, for which agenda would be brought in the next cabinet meeting.
Badal also informed that the holders of NRP card, introduced by Punjab Government last year, would be entitled for a life insurance of Rs. 5 lakh and this card would also entitle its holder to use of airport lounges. He said NRIs can also apply for NRP on web portalGiving details about NRI Web Portal, Mr. Badal said this would prove a boon for NRIs as it would have all the required and needful information with instant action on their plaints, which would be registered online by NRIs. He said that the portal also contained a photo gallery along with all needed information on Punjab. Badal also motivated the NRIs to participate in development of their villages. He said the Punjab government had introduced a Mera Pind Mera scheme under which NRIs would have to give only 25 percent of total matching grant. He said that a 24X7 call center has also been established for NRIs 0172-672301.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Mr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar, Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, all Cabinet Ministers, Mr. Mahesinder Singh Grewal, Political Advisor to CM, Mr. Tota Singh, former Ministers, Bibi Jagir Kaur, former Minister, Mr. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, Former Union Minister, Mr. Mantar Singh Brar, CPS, Mr. Pargat Singh, Mr. Gurpartap Singh Wadala, both MLAs, Financial Commissioner Revenue Mr. Navreet Singh Kang, Mr. S.S. Channi, Principal Secretary NRI Affairs and Mr. D.S. Bains, Principal Secretary Home.