Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Wednesday constituted a committee to propose appropriate set of recommendations for simplification of land division procedure among litigants in the state, especially the NRIs. Besides, he directed early resolution of revenue cases pertaining to Punjabi diaspora.
Sukhbir, chairing a high-level meeting to review the status of cases of NRIs, asked the NRI Affairs Minister Tota Singh to head a high-powered committee in this regard so that adequate steps could be initiated for the facilitation of NRIs.
He said that the Minister concerned along with the committee members should chalk out a comprehensive plan and submit their detailed report to his office within a stipulated time frame.
The sole purpose of formation of this committee was to lessen the burden of litigation in revenue courts by simplification of land partition procedure and to provide relief to the public especially to NRIs by ensuring early resolution of their cases, he said.
He also issued directives to the Divisional Commissioners, District Collectors and Revenue Officers to put the cases pertaining to NRIs on fast track.
Besides, the state Director General of Police (DGP) has been asked to submit review list of NRI Proclaimed Offenders (POs). Reviewing the status of POs residing in various foreign countries, Sukhbir asked the DGP Sumedha Singh Saini to review and re-examine the list and do the needful at the earliest and asked to submit report in this regard by Monday.
NRI Affairs Minister informed in the meeting that Punjab has 15 NRI police stations and 530 NRIs had been declared as POs. Sukhbir also asked State Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia and Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal to issue requisite directions to Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Tehsildars concerned in this regard.
He said that all revenue officers should ensure that no hassle should be faced by NRIs during the court proceedings.
Sukhbir also asked that there should be a date-bound serving of notices and summons in revenue cases and if the authorities were unable to intimate about notices and summons, then alternative mode of intimation could be introduced.