Two years after it was started on this day, the Punjab NRI Commission has successfully disposed off 60 per cent of complaints of Punjabis settled abroad, mostly pertaining to vacation marriages, fraudulent grooms, human trafficking and property disputes. With many steps already taken and many more to follow, Commission’s chairman Justice (retired) Arvind Kumar on Friday sought the State Government’s support in addressing grievances of the Punjabi NRI community.
Justice Kumar stated that most of the complaints came before the Commission were related to women, dubbed as ‘honeymoon brides’ and ‘nowhere brides’, aggrieved from marriages to fraudulent NRI grooms. To check this, the State Government had enacted the Punjab Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act, 2012, on the Commission’s recommendations.
Besides, the Commission had also proposed to the Punjab and Haryana High Court to set-up two more NRI Courts for expeditious disposal of large number of petitions.
Commission also suggested to the State Government to provide it with an independent investigating team or agency, headed by an officer of the rank of Inspector General, on the pattern of the Human Rights Commission.
Other than vacation marriages, Justice Kumar said that human trafficking was another major issue for which the State had enacted the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act, 2012, requiring travel agents to register with the Government.
With many travel agents yet to register themselves, the Commission has suggested setting up of Human Trafficking Victim Relief Fund wherein any amount or fine received from the travel agents or upon confiscation of property would be used to provide relief to the victims.
In addition, the Commission has proposed to formulate law Enforcement Units to hold workshops involving lawyers, immigration, police, civil society and public representatives and other to create awareness about issues of NRIs, he said.
“The law Enforcement Units and Human Trafficking Victim Relief Fund needs to be monitored by a three-member board to be headed by an officer not below the rank of Principal Secretary,” he said.
Taking serious note of numerous murders of Punjabi Community in Manila (Philippines), the Commission took up the matter with the Punjab Government and Union Ministry of External Affairs.
“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,” stated Justice Kumar.
He added that 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.
For the well-being of NRIs, the Commission has thoughtfully cited a number of recommendations and suggestions that include Deputy Commissioners and the Senior Superintendents of Police to hold monthly meeting to hear NRIs’ grievances.
“There should be an executive officer from PCS rank to deal with revenues matters of NRIs. Superintendent of Police (headquarter) of every district should be made nodal officer for dealing with NRIs’ complaints,” he added.
Justice Kumar stated that the Commission has suggested the State Director General of Police to organise specialised training courses to sensitise 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.