Chandigarh, January 5
The Punjab NRI Sammelan saw almost everyone in Punjab’s who’s who list rubbing shoulders trying to make their presence felt.

Prominent among those present were Cabinet members and MPs belonging to SAD. The craze to meet foreign dignitaries was equally visible among the BJP and SAD cadres.

The state civil and police administration was also in full attendance and almost every officer, howsoever remotely connected with public dealing, was present at Hotel Taj, where the first session of the two-day conclave was held today. These included Punjab chief secretary R.I Singh and DGP N.P.S Aulakh.

The proceedings were initiated by Singh, who briefed the visiting NRIs about the financial and other issues concerning Punjab. Then SAD leader B.S Bhunder highlighted the plans and achievement of the SAD-BJP government, assuring the NRIs that the government was fully aware of their problems and would go all out to redress them.

Finance minister Manpreet Badal said the financial situation was bad but not crisis-ridden. He appealed to the NRIs to contribute their bit towards the financial well-being of their motherland.

Capt Kanwaljit Singh, cooperation minister, however, said the situation was not one of optimism. He stressed that the financial and agrarian crisis in Punjab required careful handling. Presenting a realistic position was important so that the NRIs could take a well-informed decision and did their duty towards the state by providing expertise and financial investment.

Former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur said, “Sukhbir Badal has asked me to be the liaison officer for the day and introduce guests to the people here”. Balramji Dass Tandon and transport minister Master Mohan Lal were also seen interacting with NRI friends.

After a colourful cultural evening, the sammelan will move to Jalandhar on Sunday, before some NRIs return to meet Chief Minister P.S Badal at his home on Monday. The working of the government has come to a standstill for the past few days owing to preparations for this mega event where Punjab is trying to sell itself to its diaspora.