NRI Affairs Minister Tota Singh has expressed displeasure over the Narendra Modi-led Union Government’s move to shift the venue of the forthcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to Gujarat.
JALANDHAR – NRI Affairs Minister Tota Singh has expressed displeasure over the Narendra Modi-led Union Government’s move to shift the venue of the forthcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to Gujarat.
He said the Union Government had gone ahead with holding the PBD in Gujarat this year despite knowing the fact that Gujarat and Punjab had almost the same number of NRIs. “This year marks 100 years of Mahatama Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa in 1915,” he said.
While the Centre had bowed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wish to celebrate 100 years of the Mahatama’s return in Gujarat, it should have extended invitation to Punjabi NRIs after consulting the Punjab Government, he said.
“I am only aware about the invitation extended to the Punjab Chief Minister and some Punjabi NRIs of their own choice residing in New Delhi,” Tota Singh said.
He said he had asked the Principal Secretary to take up the matter with the Union Government to have maximum participation from the state in the event. He has also hinted at the possibility of the state government taking up the matter strictly with the Centre to get the next PBD organised in Punjab.
“Kerala, Punjab and Gujarat are the leading NRI states in the country. The PBD was held thrice in Kerala and this time it is being held in Gujarat. The Punjab CM may propose the Union Government to organise the next PBD in the state,” Tota Singh said.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated on January 9 every year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the country’s development. It was this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa and led India’s freedom struggle.
The Centre should have extended an invitation to Punjabi NRIs after consulting the Punjab Government… I am only aware about the invitation extended to the Punjab Chief Minister and some Punjabi NRIs of their own choice residing in New Delhi.
