Punjab is all set to establish the first-of-its-kind, exclusive court to deal with cases related to NRIs after the state government received approval for the same from Punjab and Haryana high court.

Stating this here today, Punjab’s Minister for Revenue and NRI Affairs, Bikram Singh Majithia, said the issue would be discussed at the next meeting of the state Cabinet before the proposal is given the go-ahead.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, he said the move would fulfil a more than 50- year-old demand of the NRIs seeking fast-track courts to deal with cases involving them.

Majithia also expressed concern over a rise overseas in instances of attacks on NRIs and urged the Union External Affairs Ministry to take up the issue strongly with the all those countries where such cases had come to light.

Concerned by an increase in the attacks on Sikhs in other countries due to a confusion over their identity, Majithia said that the External Affairs Ministry must launch a global sensitisation campaign to raise awareness about Sikh culture.

He said that despite repeated requests by Punjab government, the Centre had not taken any steps in that direction.

Later, Majithia, along with Canada’s Minister of State for Multi-Culturalism, Tim Uppal, New Zealand Member of Parliament Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Canadian High Commissioner Stewart G Beck inaugurated the Punjab’s exhibition space at the event.