Ensure NRIs’ flood-relief work faces no hindrance: Punjab NRI Commission to DCs, SSPs

The Punjab State Commission for Non-Resident Indians has stepped in to safeguard the philanthropic initiatives of NRIs intending to undertake large-scale charitable activities in flood-affected areas of Punjab but alleged threats from “purported unscrupulous persons.”

Issuing wide-ranging directions, the Commission directed that District Collectors and Senior Superintendents of Police must personally ensure that two NRI complainants and other non-resident Indians from Punjab effectively undertaking and executing “espoused philanthropic mission without any obstacles from any quarter.”

The Commission, headed by chairman Justice Sureshwar Thakur, asserted that the very aims and objectives of the Punjab State Commission for Non-Resident Indians Act, 2011, would be defeated if the complainants’ charitable undertakings were thwarted.

Justice Thakur made it clear that the NRIs’ proposed philanthropic projects could be jeopardised by “unscrupulous elements”. The very purpose behind creating the Commission would be defeated if such threats were allowed to prevail. The Commission was enjoined to protect and safeguard the interests of the complainants and was bound to recommend remedial measures to facilitate their undertakings meant for the welfare of NRIs.

Justice Thakur added the complainants must be allowed to “effectively undertake and execute their espoused philanthropic mission but without any obstacles from any quarter.” The Commission, as such, directed that District Collectors and SSPs “shall ensure that no obstacle and hindrances, was caused to the present NRIs by certain unscrupulous elements, who obviously are dampening the holistic spirits of the NRIs.”

The Commission clarified that the same protective cover would apply to “any other NRI besides the present complainants, who belongs to Punjab, and intend to undertake similar philanthropic works in their respective areas… a posse of armed policemen be deployed at the relevant sites, whereby the threats meted to the NRIs concerned are warded off.”

The order was directed to be sent to the Deputy Commissioners and SSPs concerned “for ensuring compliance with the directions,” and the progress reports on implementation were directed to be placed before the commission on the next date of hearing – November 27.

The case arose from a complaint filed by  Iqvinder Singh and Surinder Paul Sharma, both NRIs with “roots in Punjab”. They approached the Commission following devastating floods caused by “excessive and incessant rainfall” that had inundated almost the entire state, damaged crops, and endangered livestock. The complainants expressed their intention to undertake philanthropic works in affected panchayats but alleged that their mission was “threatened to be undermined by certain purported unscrupulous persons.”

The Commission acknowledged that it had “no jurisdiction to pass any mandamus” against such individuals, but held that its statutory duty to protect NRIs’ interests extended to recommending remedial measures whenever their philanthropic initiatives were imperilled.

Acknowledging their efforts, the Commission further expressed hope that their philanthropic initiatives would extend to other disaster-hit regions as well. “This court appreciates the undertakings of philanthropic work by the present complainants and expects them to even contribute to alleviate the misery which has befallen the people of Himachal Pradesh, thus on account of the devastating floods and landslides which have also occurred there, rather on account of incessant and excessive rains,” it stated.