Chandigarh: The Punjab State NRI Commission, set up for resolving problems of Punjabis settled abroad and providing legal assistance to them, has completed two years of its successful functioning today. Interacting with media persons on this occasion, Justice Arvind Kumar,
Chairman of the Commission, informed that the Commission has so far disposed 60 per cent of complaints of NRIs came before it for
redressal.
Punjab state commission for NRIs completes two successful years
Disposed 60 per cent complaints by NRIs
Enactment of “Punjab prevention of human smuggling act” 2012 and
Punjab compulsory registration of marriages act 2012
He said that most of the complaints were related to the women aggrieved from marriages with NRIs, who were being dubbed as
“Honeymoon Brides” & “Nowhere Brides”, besides complaints against human trafficking and property disputes. He said that to save the
Punjabi girls from fraudulent grooms, the Punjab Government has enacted a Punjab Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act 2012 on the
recommendations of Commission.
Justice Kumar further stated that keeping in view a large number of cases pending in various courts relating to NRIs, the Commission has
proposed to the Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court to set-up two more NRI Courts for expeditious disposal of petitions of NRIs. The
Commission has also suggested to the State government to provide the Commission with an independent Investigating Team/Agency, headed by an Officer of the rank of IG, on the pattern of the Human Right Commission.
He also said that a large number of unregistered travel agents operating in Punjab were a major source of human trafficking. To curb the human trafficking “Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act”, was enacted in 2012. It has also been proposed to the State Govt. to formulate Law Enforcement Units to hold regional level workshops involving lawyers, immigration, police, civil society and public representatives; to launch awareness campaigns in the identified areas involving NGOs, media & social workers.
However, in order to encourage the voluntary return of illegal immigrants, it has been proposed by the Commission that Human Trafficking Victim Relief Fund be created, wherein any amount/fine received from travel agents or upon confiscation of acquired property would also go to this fund to provide relief for the rehabilitation of the victims. The said “Law Enforcement Units” and “Human Trafficking Victim Relief Fund” needs to be monitored by a three-member board to be constituted by the State Govt. headed by an officer not below the rank of Principal Secretary, he added.
Taking the serious note of numerous murders of Punjabi Community in Manila (Philippines), the Commission took the matter with the Punjab
Government and Ministry of External Affairs. The Punjab Government’s support was sought to constitute a three-member committee in which one member should be a senior IPS officer to monitor the cause of such murders, extend support and co-ordinate with the Central Ministries
and the Philippines Embassy in India. If need be, they may also visit Philippines to interact with the Indian Embassy, Government
authorities in Philippines and have an interaction with the Punjabi Community there.
The Commission has also thoughtfully cited a number of recommendations and suggestions for the well-being of NRIs that include DCs & SSPs to hold a monthly meeting to hear the grievances of NRIs. There should be an Executive Officer from the rank of PCS to deal with revenues matters of NRIs. SP (HQ) of every district should be made the nodal officer for dealing with complaints of NRIs. Mr Arvind Kumar has also said that the Commission has suggested the DGP (Punjab) to organize specialized training courses to sensitize
police personnel regarding the problems of NRIs. He also underlined the need to build safeguards, take remedial measures and start an
awareness programme for NRI community.