Most NRIs duped of property, cash by their own near and dear ones

Jalandhar, October 24
Usurping of their valuable property, be it land or plush homes or misuse of money by none other but their own near and dear ones back home are the major sources of tension for the NRIs staying in different parts of the world.
More than 80 per cent of NRIs remain disturbed because their lands have been usurped as has the money sent by them for some good cause like building of a new house or purchase of a new piece of land. There is hardly any solution in sight for them because either they have to enter into a compromise with wily relatives for local pressures or they have to make rounds of courts for years together which, was hardly any viable option for most of them.
“Hundreds of NRIs are grappling with problems related to forcible occupation of their lands back home by their own relatives and near and dear ones. In most cases, the NRIs send money to their relatives for building of new homes with a hope that they might be able to come and enjoy a brief stay in the comfort of their own homes but this dream rarely turns into a reality for them. In most cases, the money sent by NRIs to their families back home is usurped by their own brothers or sisters. Discord within the family is the biggest factor that has been depriving NRIs of their sleep,” said Khushi Ram, a former IAS officer and the Executive Director the NRI Sabha, Punjab which. About 16000 members are registered with the NRI Sabha, an NGO which enjoys the patronage of the Punjab Chief Minister and was headed by the Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner Anurag Verma as its Chairman.
Since, most NRIs hail from the Doaba region of Punjab, the complaints or cases are mostly related to NRIs belonging to Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Kapurthala districts.
The Sabha, according to Khushi Ram, has been able to solve as many as 401 cases out of a total of 556 cases instituted between January and September. Most of the cases or complaints were solved by way of compromise. “In fact, NRIs are not aware of whom to approach in case of a difficulty. They should contact the sabha via e-mail or telephonically. We keep following their complaints till they are disposed off,” said Khushi Ram. He said contrary to the common perception, the NRI police stations were also doing a good job by mediating and bringing about a compromise between the aggrieved parties.
Despite having no executive powers, the Sabha, Khsuhi Ram claimed, was able to solve 80 per cent of problems of NRIs by way of compromise between the warring parties. “The response of the NRIs has been tremendous of late. They have started trusting the Sabha for even smaller matters,” said Khushi Ram.