The Punjab Government has received the approval of Punjab & Haryana High Court to setup a first ever Court in the state to deal exclusively with the matters relating with Non-Resident Indians to ensure speedy and hassle free disposal of their cases.This was disclosed by Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, NRI Affairs and Revenue Minister Punjab accompanied by Mr. S.S. Channi, Principal Secretary NRI Affairs, on the sidelines of 12th Parvasi Bhartiya pas here today. He said that ensuing meeting of Cabinet would clear this proposal and this would fulfill the 50 year old demand of NRIs who had been seeking fast track court for their matters related to them.
Expressing concern over increasing attacks on NRIs in other countries, Mr. Majithia said that it was imperative for Union External Affairs Ministry to take up this issue strongly with other countries. He said that we must send a strong message seeking expeditious punishment of guilty in such cases. Concerned over increasing attacks on Sikhs in other countries due to confusion of their identity, Mr. Majithia said that it was a serious issue that post 9/11 scenario, Sikhs were being attacked confusing their identity with Muslims and it Union External Affairs Ministry must launch a global sensitization campaign to educate the people on the identity of Sikhs. He regretted that despite repeated requests by the Punjab Government, Union government has not taken any positive step in this direction.
Later Mr. Majithia along with Mr. Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Multi Culturism Canada, Mr. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Member Parliament, New Zealand and Mr. Stewart G. Beck, Canadian High Commissioner inaugurated the Punjab’s exhibition stall and briefed them about the revolutionary steps taken by Punjab Government to facilitate the Punjabi Diaspora. He said that the state government has recently organized a Progressive Punjab Investors Summit at Mohali and got tremendous response from the bigwigs of the Indian Industry besides Multi National Companies as they were quite impressed with the world class infrastructure and business opportunities available in state. Mr. Majithia pointed out that path breaking decisions have been taken after thorough interaction with elected Punjabi representatives and media representatives across the globe during last year’s Non Resident Punjabi Summit.
He informed them that the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has recently launched an interactive website www.nripunjab.gov.in to provide exhaustive information and linkages but also have complaint redressal mechanism. He said that a 24hrs helpline has also been launched, where NRIs can not only get information but also register their complaints. The complaints so registered are monitored and result informed to the applicant.He said that the Punjab government has established a dedicated new NRI Wing of the Punjab Police for the speedy disposal and friendly handling of complaints of NRIs. The NRI Wing of the Punjab Police was headed by an IGP rank officer who functions as the Central Nodal Authority to oversee a State network of dedicated 11 NRI Police stations, with 4 more coming up and more than 1000 police personnel directly reporting to the IGP.
The NRI Affairs Minister informed them that for the property related problems of NRIs, amendments have been made in existing laws dealing with rural properties for fast track eviction of tenants. For urban properties, the Punjab Rent Act provides facilities to NRIs for getting vacated multiple properties. He said that the power to stamp/emboss the Power of attorney has been delegated to Deputy Commissioners and Commissioners so that NRIs don’t have to visit FCR office in Chandigarh.He also has an informal interaction with Mr. Mahendera Chaudhary, former Prime Minister of Fiji former Canadian Minister , Mr. Bal Gosal , Canadian Sport Minister, Mr. Herb Dhaliwal, former Premier of British Columbia Mr. Ujjal Dosanjh , Judge Ajit Swaran Singh from New Zealand and renowned US Hotelier Mr Sant Singh Chhatwal and invited them for Non Resident Punjabi Sammelan to be held on 10 and 11 January at Sri Anandpur Sahib and Jalandhar.