Non Resident Indians (NRIs) can play a vital role in helping people fight the current global economic meltdown, provided the Centre and state governments make a genuine effort to tackle their problems.

This was stated by Sukh Dhaliwal, Member of Parliament in Canada and Kamaljit Singh Hayer, president of the NRI Sabha, Punjab, in an exclusive interview with Newsline.

The duo was in the city today to attend a function of the District Bar Association (DBA).

Talking to Newsline, Dhaliwal, a Member of Parliament from Newton in the House of Commons, Canada, said: “The NRIs, especially those from Punjab, are already doing their bit by setting up mega projects here. The Centre and state government, however, need to facilitate them by creating a congenial atmosphere.”

He added: “Recently, the Punjab government had set up NRI police stations. This is a welcome step. Similar steps need to be taken to make NRIs feel more secure here.”

Kamaljeet Singh Hayre, President of the NRI Sabha, Punjab, said the NRIs are better-equipped to fight the current economic situation owing to stable financial resources.

He added: “Though a large number of NRIs have not come to India this year, but in the long run, they can be of great help in fighting the recession.”

Hayre said though the state government had set up exclusive police stations for NRIs, more such steps were needed to make them feel at home during their stay in India. He said their organisation had been demanding the setting up of fast track courts for speedy trial of their cases.

... contd.