HC nod to set up first NRI court

Thursday, 09/01/2014

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Chandigarh: The Punjab government has received the approval of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to set up a first-ever court in the state to deal exclusively with the matters relating with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to ensure speedy and hassle free disposal of their cases.

This was disclosed by Bikram Singh Majithia, NRI Affairs and Revenue Minister, who accompanied by Principal Secretary, NRI Affairs, S S Channi represented the state government at the 12th Parvasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi on Wednesday.

He said that the next meeting of Cabinet would clear this proposal and this would fulfil 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, Majithia said that it was imperative for the 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, Majithia said that it was a serious issue that post 9/11 scenario, Sikhs were being attacked as they were confused with Muslims. The Union External Affairs Ministry must launch a global sensitisation campaign to educate the people on the identity of Sikhs, he added.

He regretted that despite repeated requests by the Punjab government, the Union government has not taken any positive step in this direction.

Later, Majithia, along with Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Multi Culturism Canada; Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Member of Parliament, New Zealand and 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 organised 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 the state.

Majithia pointed out that the path-breaking decisions have been taken after thorough interaction with the elected Punjabi representatives and media representatives across the globe during the last year’s Non-Resident Punjabi Summit.

He informed them that Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has recently launched an interactive website www.nripunjab.gov.in to provide exhaustive information and linkages.