The Department of NRI Affairs was established in the year 2002 essentially for being the nodal department for redressal of issues related to NRIs in the state of Punjab. The Department which is headed by Minister for NRI Affairs, functions under the Principal Secretary of Department of NRI Affairs . One ADGP rank officer heads the 15NRI police stations set up especially for NRI related issues. A special NRI Civil Court has been established in Jalandhar for providing speedy justice to NRIs. There is an NRI commission with one Chairman, four official members and two honorary members, which deals with complaints of NRIs.
VISION
To serve the welfare of NRIs from Punjab who have migrated to foreign countries for education, employment and livelihood, in connection with their issues related to Punjab and in promoting and maintaining a healthy and fruitful connect with their native State of Punjab. For this purpose the term NRIs also includes Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) of Punjab origin.
Strategies
The NRI Department would engage with NRIs, directly and indirectly and interact with them not only to understand and resolve their problems but also to enable them to connect with their roots in a most productive and positive manner.
Open online channels of communication through website with grievance portal, E-mail and other social media platforms would be maintained to receive and resolve NRI grievances, which are mostly related to property matters, matrimonial issues and other complaints of civil and criminal nature.
Most NRI grievances are to be resolved by District level revenue officials like Patwari, Qanungo, Tehsildar functioning under the SDM and DCs and police functionaries like SHO, DSP functioning under the SSP or City Police Commissioners. Department of NRI Affairs will create a robust and dynamic institutional mechanism to actively coordinate with the District Authorities and closely monitor the quick resolution of the NRI grievance.
NRI Department will provide mechanism for active participation of NRIs in the development projects in Punjab, by which NRIs can take up development works in the villages and cities and contribute funds for their execution, along with the fund contribution of Government of Punjab.
NRI Department will support, in all possible legal ways, the mobilization of Punjabi NRIs all over the world for their welfare.
NRI Commission- NRI Commission consist of a Chairman, 4 official members and 2 honorary members.
Chairman- Who shall be a retired Judge of High Court.
Two Members – shall be nominated by Government from amongst the persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in matters and issues relating to Non-resident Indians.
Secretary(ex-cadre from PCS Executive)-who shall be the Chief Executive officer of the Commission and shall exercise such powers and discharge such functions of the commission as it may delegate to him.
Honorary Members- Minimum one and Maximum two members who may be nominated by Government from amongst the persons of Indian origin, who are permanently settled abroad and have acquired the citizenship of any other country, other than India and who are holders of person of Indian origin card or Overseas Citizen of India card issued.
NRI Police Stations
There are 15 designated NRI Police Station, functioning under ADGP (NRI Wing) which are dedicated to deal with complaints of NRIs. They will be strengthened by getting regular posts sanctioned, provisioning of adequate staff and provisioning of basic facilities for all visitors etc.
Special Civil Courts
There is one Special Court at Jalandhar, designated to deal with NRI cases. Efforts are being made to set up 5 more Courts at Amritsar, Ludhiana, Nawanshahar (SBS Nagar), Moga and Mohali (SAS Nagar), along with sanctioned post for judges as well as associate staff for speedy redressal of court cases involving NRIs.
NRI Nodal Officer in Every District
One officer shall be appointed/designated in each district as a Nodal Officer for NRIs to meet and deal with the visiting NRIs. He shall coordinate with other Departments for assisting the NRIs especially for investment in their desired projects.
Address : Punjab Civil Secretariat 2 , Sector 9, Chandigarh
0172-2741791
nriminister2023(at)gmail(dot)com, psnri(at)punjab(dot)gov(dot)in
