Diaspora from Punjab suffer due to non-functional NRI Commission

The NRI affairs department had submitted a proposal for new appointments well in advance, but the appointments are still pending, leaving the commission non-functional

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

The State Commission established to safeguard the interests of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in Punjab is currently paralyzed due to the absence of a chairman and members, the Hindustan Times reported. The three-year term of the previous chairman, Justice Shekhar Kumar Dhawan, and four members concluded earlier this year, yet the government has not made new appointments. The NRI affairs department had submitted a proposal for new appointments well in advance, but the appointments are still pending, leaving the commission non-functional.

During their term, the commission dealt with over 1,000 complaints, including 200 recent ones from NRIs. A significant portion of the grievances pertained to NRI men marrying women in the state and subsequently abandoning them, as well as disputes related to the land and properties of NRIs. About half of the complaints during the previous chairman’s tenure were related to NRI marriages. In cases where NRI men were Indian citizens or passport holders and the complaints were validated, the commission recommended the cancellation of their passports.

The delay in appointments has led to a standstill in the commission’s crucial work, affecting the resolution of numerous complaints from NRIs in the state

The commission, operating under the Punjab State Commission for NRIs Act, 2011, holds the powers of a civil court. The chairman is required to be a retired judge of the high court, with other members including an IAS officer not below the rank of principal secretary or financial commissioner and an IPS officer not below the rank of additional director general of police (ADGP). Additionally, two members are nominated from individuals knowledgeable about NRI matters.

Despite the pressing need for the commission’s functionality, the Principal Secretary of the NRI affairs department, Dilip Kumar, remains unresponsive. An official from the department mentioned that the matter is pending with the state government, and a decision is expected after a meeting chaired by the chief minister. The delay in appointments has led to a standstill in the commission’s crucial work, affecting the resolution of numerous complaints from NRIs in the state.

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