Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats and NRIs Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Sunday declared that a comprehensive policy for safeguarding the interests of non-resident Indians (NRIs) is on the government’s plan.
The minister stressed that NRIs’ immense contribution to the all-around development of villages was on anvil. The policy draft is scheduled to be prepared in the next two weeks, which will be discussed with NRIs for further changes if needed.
The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government is focusing on major reforms in rural development, said the minister adding that once the policy comes into effect, the Punjabi diaspora would get their work done seamlessly.
Pointing out that the issues about NRI properties, their legal cases and matrimonial disputes would be the major theme of the upcoming policy, Dhaliwal said the plan would also concentrate on making a strong connection with NRI for the overall development of villages.
Nodal officers have also been deputed in all districts to facilitate NRIs. He said NRIs could meet these nodal officers in case of any grievance related to civil and police administration, who would further direct the officers concerned to act as per law without any delay.
The NRI Department had appealed to the Punjabi diaspora a few days back, soliciting their support and help for rural development. Following this, family members of a US-based NRI from Athoula village met the minister and apprised him of their plan to construct a village smart primary school at the cost of Rs50 lakh.
