NRIs don’t feel safe investing in Punjab: Ruby Dhalla

“Don’t expect the old generation which left India several years back will invest their hard-earned money all off a sudden… Their children are coming to Punjab to invest,but they need a safe atmosphere,” she said.

She made the comments in response to a query on why NRIs expect VVIP treatment during visits to their home country,whereas their investments in Punjab were minimal.

“In Canada,there is no servant and chauffeur culture,as one has to drive his or her own car,so life is not simple as people think here,” Dhalla said.

“My mother several decades back,when she left Punjab for Canada,worked in a factory as a labourer… The hard efforts of my mother,who brought me up with good education and facilitated me to reach some calibre,was not an overnight job. It took several years,” she added.

“Now I am here in Punjab to explore the opportunities to invest safely,” the Canadian MP said.

In this regard,Dhalla said,”I even talked on this issue to Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal,who assured me he would look into matter and extend all possible help to NRIs,who are keen to invest in the state of Punjab.”

“I held a thorough meeting recently with Sukhbir Badal about the safety of NRIs and their property in Punjab during the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference in New Delhi,” she added.

On the subject of fraudulent marriages by NRIs,”People in Punjab dispose of huge chunks of land to marry off lovely daughters to NRIs with the expectation of sending them to greener pastures. But things take a turn for the worst when the NRIs spend a few days with the Indian bride and then never come back.”

“It happens as most of the NRIs are already married there,” she said.

“I will raise the matter in Canadian Parliament about the people who deceive innocent Punjabi girls… to prevent such practices,” Dhalla assured.

“But at the same time,I do suggest that Punjabi parents take time and go for a thorough investigation when NRI grooms come forward with a proposal of marriage for Punjabi girls.

Such decisions should not be taken in haste,” Dhalla added.