Punjab Minister for NRI affairs Pargat Singh assured a mechanism to address the grievances of the NRIs in issues related to land, property, revenue, police matters, criminal, matrimonial or any other issues
The Indian State of Punjab has decided to set up a 24/7 online Quick Response Centre to assist NRIs at the airports. The arrangement is meant for hassle-free arrival of NRI while returning home.
This was stated by the Minister for NRI Affairs Pargat Singh, during a review meeting of the NRI Affairs department on Friday (October 22, 2021).
The minister said to have mentioned the issue of some NRIs who faced embarrassment at the airports for documents and identities even though their documents were found to be correct later.
That happens due to misunderstanding by the airport employees that do not have a clear understanding of NRI documents.
“The Quick Response Centre will work 24/7 equipped with officers expert in NRI affairs to rule out any difficulty to the returning NRIs,” an official of the NRI Affairs said.
The Minister for NRI Affairs took note of the complaints that sometimes the NRIs are stopped for questioning on arrival after landing at the airports on the grounds of documents and technical reasons. “In most cases, the NRIs are found with right papers. It happens mainly due to misunderstanding, which needs to be ruled out,” he said.
To facilitate the NRIs better services, the minister directed the NRI Affairs department to develop an integrated portal through which all NRI related services and details of facilities being offered by the State should be there. The NRIs should be encouraged to contact the government through this single portal.
Pargat Singh said the expert officers would contact parties concerned over phone, as he called for making the Quick Response Centre’s number public.
He also assured a mechanism to address the grievances of the NRIs in issues related to land, property revenue cases, police matters, criminal, matrimonial or any other issues.
There are many NRIs who want to invest in their districts or villages, but do not know the procedures. For this, the minister asked the NRI Affairs Department to work as a facilitator and let the NRIs know the areas like sports, education, health etc. where they can invest
Pargat Singh directed the department to liaise with the Revenue and the Police Departments to work out a blueprint for deploying dedicated officers in each district.
Similarly, he asked for simple verification procedures for those whose who want to go abroad. “Make those verification forms online to rule out people from far-flung districts coming to Chandigarh. It can be done from Suvidha or Sanjh Centres in respective areas.”
Many NRIs want to invest in their districts or villages but do not know the procedures. For this, the minister asked the NRI Affairs Department to work as a facilitator and let the NRIs know the areas like sports, education, health etc, where they can invest.
Seeking a proactive approach, Pargat Singh sought UNioin Government’s support in recognizing the coordinators appointed by the Punjab Government to convenience the NRIs based in different countries.
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