Despite the hype, Punjab NRI panel has been defunct for over a year

 Punjab government has already conducted NRI Milnis this year in Pathankot and Nawanshahr on February 3 and 9, respectively. Now, NRI Milnis are scheduled to be held in Ferozepur on February 27 and Sangrur on February 29.

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

At a time when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab is focusing on its much-touted ‘NRI Milni’programme for effective and quick address of grievances of non-resident Indians (NRIs), Punjab State Commission for NRIs continues to be defunct for over a year.

The tenure of its previous chairman, Justice Shekhar Dhawan (retd), and three members — former IAS officer M P Singh, Gurjeet Singh Lehal and Sarvinder Singh Sidhu — came to an end on February 6, 2023.

The tenure of the fourth member, former IPS officer Hardeep Singh Dhillon, ended on August 4, 2023. Over 1,000 complaints of NRIs are pending before the commission and its entire staff is sitting idle.

When contacted, Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal told TOI that they would soon appoint a chairperson and other members.

The commission was constituted under Punjab State Commission for Non Resident Indians Act 2011 in Nov 2011 to safeguard NRI interests and recommend remedial measures for their welfare and other connected matters

“There remains a requirement of a retired high court judge for the NRI commission’s chairperson and also of a retired senior IPS officer of the rank of DGP or ADGP besides a retired IAS officer for the post of members,” he said.

Punjab government has already conducted NRI Milnis this year in Pathankot and Nawanshahr on February 3 and 9, respectively. Now, NRI Milnis are scheduled to be held in Ferozepur on February 27 and Sangrur on February 29.

The commission was constituted under Punjab State Commission for Non Resident Indians Act 2011 in Nov 2011 to safeguard NRI interests and recommend remedial measures for their welfare and other connected matters.

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