Punjab State Commission for Non-resident Indians Act, 2011
No: 33 Dated: Nov, 29 2011
THE PUNJAB STATE COMMISSION FOR NON-RESIDENT INDIANS ACT, 2011
(Act No. 33 of 2011)
An Act to provide for the Constitution of a Commission for Non-resident Indians with a view to protecting and safeguarding the interests of the Non-resident Indians in the State of Punjab, and to recommend remedial measures for their welfare and for the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Punjab in the Sixty second Year of the Republic of India, as follows :-
1. Short title and commencement. - (1) This Act may be called the Punjab State Commission for Non-resident Indians Act, 2011.
(2) It shall come into force on and with effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Definitions. - In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "Chairperson" means the Chairperson of the Commission;
(b) "Commission" means the Punjab State Commission for Nonresident Indians constituted under section 3 ;
(c) "complaint" means all petitions or communications received in the Commission from a Non-resident Indian or from any other person on his behalf, in person or by post or by telegram or by fax or by any other means whatsoever, alleging, disputes or violations or abetment thereof or negligence in the prevention of such dispute or violation, by a public servant or a private person or providing material on the basis of which the Commission takes suo-motu cognizance;
(d) "Government" means the Government of the State of Punjab in the Department of Non-resident Indians Affairs;
(e) "Member" means a member of the Commission and includes the Chairperson and the Secretary ;
(f) "Non-resident Indians" means a person of Indian origin, who is either permanently or temporarily settled outside India, in either case-
(i) for or on taking up employment outside India; or
(ii) for carrying on a business or vocation outside India; or
(iii) for any other purpose, in such circumstances, as would indicate his intention to stay outside India for an uncertain period; and
(g) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act.
3. Constitution of the Commission. - (1) The Government shall, by notification, constitute a body to be known as the Punjab State Commission for Non-resident Indians to exercise the powers conferred upon and perform the functions assigned to it under this Act.
(2) The Commission shall consist of-
(a) a Chairperson, who shall be a retired judge of the High Court ;
(b) one Member who is, or has been an IAS Officer, not below the rank of Principal Secretary or Financial Commissioner to be appointed by the Government;
(c) one Member who is, or has been an IPS Officer, not below the rank of Additional Director General of Police to be appointed by the Government;
(d) two members shall be nominated by the Government from amongst the persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in matters and issues relating to Non-resident Indians; and
(e) there shall be a Secretary (ex-cadre from PCS Executive), who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission and shall exercise such powers and discharge such functions of the Commission as it may delegate to him.
4. Headquarters of the Commission. - The Headquarters of the Commission shall be located at Chandigarh.
5. Appointment of Chairperson and other Members of the Commission. - The Chairperson and other Members shall be appointed by the Government.