UK MP TANMANJEET SINGH DHESI MEETS PUNJAB NRI AFFAIRS MINISTER RAVJOT SINGH,

NRI ISSUES, DIRECT FLIGHTS, CARGO FACILITIES AND KARTARPUR SAHIB CORRIDOR DISCUSSED

Face2News/Chandigarh 

Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Ravjot Singh and UK Member of Parliament and Chair of the Defence Committee of the British Parliament, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, met in Chandigarh and held detailed discussions on various issues concerning the Punjabi diaspora, air connectivity with Punjab, investment and protection of their properties. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee member Paramjit Singh Raipur was also present during the meeting.

During the meeting, the need to introduce more international flights from Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport, Amritsar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh, as well as expanding existing direct air services, was also emphasised. They also discussed strengthening direct air connectivity between Punjab and London, Birmingham and other major European cities, along with developing better cargo infrastructure at both airports to facilitate air freight movement.

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi said the better air and cargo connectivity is essential for further strengthening economic ties between Punjab and the Punjabi diaspora living abroad. He said improved connectivity could provide a major boost to Punjab’s industry, agriculture, trade, tourism and employment opportunities, as well as encourage greater investment in the state by overseas Punjabis.

The issue of land and property disputes involving overseas Punjabis was also raised prominently during the meeting. Dhesi stressed the need for such cases to be resolved within a stipulated timeframe and for effective mechanisms to be put in place so that NRIs are not required to travel repeatedly to Punjab or remain entangled in lengthy judicial and administrative processes. He also highlighted the need for prompt resolution of complaints relating to property fraud, cybercrime and other offences affecting Punjabis living abroad.

He also expressed concern over threats and extortion demands faced by Punjabi businesspersons, industrialists and sports promoters settled overseas. Dhesi said that matters concerning the safety of Punjabis living abroad and the protection of their business interests should be brought to the attention of the Central Government and the concerned security agencies.

The meeting also included discussions on reopening the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and taking necessary steps to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted movement of pilgrims through the corridor. Both leaders agreed that effectively addressing such issues was essential to further strengthening economic, social and cultural ties between Punjab and Punjabis living across the world.

NRI Affairs Minister Ravjot Singh assured that the Punjab Government would continue to take issues concerning overseas Punjabis seriously and would raise relevant matters at the appropriate level.