NRI issues need policy changes and better facilitation - 04/02/2007
NRIs from Qila Raipur are in for a pleasant surprise. Jassi Khangura – the Congress candidate from this area plans to launch exclusive facilitation services through a number of initiatives.Having been a NRI himself and having maintained a very close association with his roots in this primarily rural constituency, he says he knows exactly where it hurts and what needs to be done to resolve issues for both the residents and the non-residents.
While lauding the immense focus and innovative steps taken by the Congress governments both at the Centre and the State level to address NRI issues, he points out that Punjab’s NRI cells are already being emulated by other states in India.
However, there is a long way to go. NRIs have been demanding express judicial dispensation, which needs a major policy change at the national level. While he plans to push for quicker decision making on this and similar other areas, if he gets elected he promises that NRIs from his constituency can expect the highest levels of personalized facilitation in Punjab. He plans to extend the NRI cells to the village level in his constituency.
He intends to use the latest technology and the Internet to ensure that the people from his area have access to facilitation for the complete range of services ranging from village news to matrimonial referral and counseling (for both sides), legal assistance, investment and property advisory, development initiatives for the area, immigration, passports, education and employment advisory, health and insurance, etc.
He asserts that NRIs also want to play an active role in the affairs of their native place and the time has come when an infrastructure is provided and a platform created to facilitate their participation.
Jassi is keen that both NRIs and residents of Qila Raipur have a single window which facilitates their individual and group concerns and wherever possible, acts on their behalf. Such facilitation will be made available at the village level through innovative use of technology, vocational training and employment generation schemes.