‘Punjab-origin NRIs annoyed over corruption in system’

Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, March 7

Having been elected as the NRI Sabha chief after the elections held here on Saturday, US-based Kirpal Singh Sahota said there was corruption in the system here due to which Punjab-origin NRIs were disappointed.

Talking to The Tribune, Sahota said, “There has been a trust deficit regarding the system in Punjab among NRIs. They are frustrated as it takes a lot of time to get their issues settled be it related to property disputes, police cases or court matters. The NRIs want that their issues should be settled within a time frame and not delayed for years.”

Sahota bagged 260 votes of the total 363 in the NRI Sabha polls on Saturday. The new NRI Sabha chief said, “With NRIs showing faith in me in the elections, I will now press for getting their works done on priority. I will meet politicians, administration and police officials. I will act as a liaison person and ensure speedy delivery in the system for the NRIs. I am well-connected with Punjab politicians as I have been hosting several leaders during their visits to the US. I will perform my duties within the system and work to get the faith of NRIs back. This will surely take time, but it is achievable.”

A native of Bara Pind near here, Sahota said, “Having stayed in the US for 50 years and earned a good livelihood for my family through transport and farming businesses, I felt like doing something for my home state. Though I will return to the US in a month or so, I will be back soon. I will spend more time in Punjab. After going back, I will request Punjab-origin NRIs across the globe, who have not been here for years, to come home at least once in a year and bring their kids along too so that they can stay connected with their roots.”

Asked about a low voter turnout of 1.5 per cent (363 cast their votes of 22,923 NRI Sabha members), he said, “The main reason behind it was the coronavirus scare. Most of the NRIs whom I contacted and asked for support in the elections said they were avoiding travel because of the virus. Therefore, my several friends could not come. Secondly, the elections got a bit late. Had the elections been held around December and January, the poll percentage would have been up.”