Jalandhar, Feb 15,2020 (Yes Punjab News)
US Based North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) asked the Punjab government to clear the air if NRI Sabha is a constitutional body or a simply NGO working for the welfare of its NRI members.
NAPA executive director Satnam Singh Chahal in a statement issued here today said that the NRI Sabha was registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 on March 20, 1998.But due to the involvement of Punjab Chief Minister and other government officials in the day to day work of NRI Sabha, Confusions and doubts had created among the Punjabi Diaspora about the legal status of NRI Sabha.
Chahal further said that the NRI Sabha has no constitutional powers to address the issues and concerns of Punjabi Diaspora therefore the Punjab Government should clear the air about NRI Sabha if this is a Government body or simply an NGO which is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
More than this like other NGOs Sabha was set up as a society and received no financial aid from the state government till today. He further added that NRI Sabha was formed by few bureaucrats, business persons and politicians to fulfill their own self-interests that is why Sabha failed to serve the Punjabi Diaspora in a better way till today.
It is said that The Divisional Commissioner Jalandhar Division or the Commissioner NRI Affairs, as the Govt. deem fit, is the Chairman of NRI Sabha. The Divisional Commissioners in the State of Punjab are the Divisional Chairman of the Sabha. The Officers/Officials are appointed under the orders of President in consultation with the Chairman (Chief Minister) who work in Central Sabha Office under the immediate supervision of President.
Chahal urged Punjab government that due to this kind of involvement of government officials in the functioning of NRI Sabha, Confusions and doubts from the minds of Punjabi Diaspora should be cleared
