Phagwara (Pb), Nov 24 (PTI) The Punjab government todaysaid it would bring the NRI Property Safeguards Act withinthree months for solving problems of those residing overseasin an effective, quick and transparent manner.
The government is also mulling on creating theInstitution of Ombudsman for resolving issues of Non-ResidentIndians (NRIs), Punjab NRI Affairs, principal secretary, S RLadhar said.
He said that if implemented, the body would solve issuesof NRIs on fast-track basis.
On the new NRI Property Safeguards Act, Ladhar said thatits draft had been sent to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, whoalso holds the portfolio of NRI Affairs.
"The government will bring the Act within three monthsfor solving problems of NRIs in an effective, quick andtransparent way," he said, adding that it would provide fortime-bound solutions of NRI property disputes.
"District authorities will be given three months foraddressing property issues of NRIs. If they don't resolve itin the stipulated time, then a state-level appellate body willhear the appeal and resolve the matter within three months.
"If the dispute persists, then the matter can be taken tothe high court," Ladhar said.
He said that civil suits, marital matters, domesticissues and other NRI affairs would be addressed by theproposed Ombusdman, who would likely be a retired judge of ahigh court.
Ladhar said that he would meet the chief minister onNovember 30 for discussing NRI issues, including the over-dueelection of the Punjab NRI Sabha.
He said that the state government had launched a scheme'Connect with Your Roots' to bring NRI youths living abroadcloser to their ancestral places. PTI CORR VSDANB.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.