IEP Chandigarh, December 28
The Principal Secretary NRI Affairs of Punjab Mr. J.M. Balamurgan today dismissed the canards regarding NRI Punjabian Naal Milni as unwarranted, baseless and figment of imagination of a few people.
The Principal Secretary categorically said that NRI Sabha is not an NGO but it is a Society which is duly registered under Societies Registration Act 1860 with approval of Government of Punjab. He said that the Chief Minister Punjab is its Chief Patron and also the guardian of Sabha. He said that Commissioner Jalandhar Division or Commissioner NRI Affairs as the Government may deem fit is the chairman of Sabha whereas all the Deputy Commissioners of State are the Chairmen of NRI Sabha District Units.
The Principal Secretary said that NRI Sabha works under the aegis of Punjab Government and the main objectives of Sabha is to work for the welfare and promotion of interests of NRIs of Punjab. He said that Sabha is continuously working for redressal of grievances which is one of the main objective of NRI Sabha Punjab, which has been clearly mentioned in constitution of NRI Sabha Punjab. He said that NRI Sabha is helping the NRIs in protecting their right in Punjab especially in property related matters.
The Principal Secretary said that as per bylaws of NRI Sabha of Punjab it will also act as an agency of state Government for promoting welfare of NRIs of Punjab. He said that the Programme of “NRI Punjabian Nal Milni” organised by the Government of Punjab was aimed to redress the grievances of NRIs speedily, which is also one of the objective of NRI Sabha Punjab.
It is pertinent to mention here the money being spent on “NRI Punjabian Nal Milni” is purely a government function and is being used for redressal of grievances of NRIs of Punjab. The persons raising this issue has no role to play in administrative and financial functioning of NRI Sabha as tenure of elected members has already ended in March 2022 and even if there is elected body of Sabha the post of Chairman remain with the Divisional Commissioner Jalandhar. It is also clarified that money which has been duly approved by Govt. of Punjab under section 18(a) of Bylaws from NRI Sabha Punjab to meet the expenses on all arrangements at the different venues is already being reimbursed by the Government.
