Poll to elect NRI Sabha chief on March 7

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 13

With NRI Sabha office in Jalandhar functioning without any president for the past more than four years, elections for the post have finally been announced by the state government today.

The sabha office today received a communication from the office of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Capt Amarinder Singh that the elections would be held on March 7. Jasvir Singh Gill and Pritam Singh Narangpuri, who have been ex-presidents, confirmed it after having received the communiqué and said the preparations for the same would start soon.

Though set up as an NGO, the NRI Sabha is currently being governed by the state government. All its orders are cleared through the Department of NRI Affairs. The sabha with about 5,000 registered members functions to assist the NRIs with various matters related to police, courts and land disputes.

Gill, who was the last NRI Sabha chief, said he was relieved from the office after two-year tenure in 2015. Asked if he was keen to recontest, he said: “I need to consult my NRI brothers and sisters before taking the decision.” Narangpuri, however, clearly expressed his desire to recontest.