The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab is intensifying its outreach to the state's large diaspora, but faces scrutiny over the effectiveness of its initiatives. With an estimated 50-60 lakh Punjabis living abroad, including about 12 lakh in Canada, 7 lakh in the UK, 2.5 lakh in the US, 2.3 lakh in Australia, and 2 lakh in Italy, the community remains a significant political and financial force.
Complaint Resolution Claims Under Fire
NRI Affairs Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh stated at a physical meeting in Mohali on June 24 that 25,870 of 26,828 complaints received between January 2022 and May 2026 had been resolved. He also reported 1,187 FIRs registered and 1,451 accused arrested. However, former NRI Sabha Jalandhar president Jasvir Singh Gill challenged these figures, saying, "If the minister can prove that even 10 cases have actually been resolved, I will personally go and thank him." Gill also noted that the timing of meetings during peak summer limits attendance.
Comparing Outreach Strategies
An official from the NRI Affairs Department highlighted that previous Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) governments held large annual NRI sammelans with international guests, while AAP has opted for smaller, more frequent interactions. Since 2022, about 14-15 NRI milnis have been organized. Former minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal introduced online sessions allowing 50-55 NRIs abroad to interact with the government each time. However, his proposal for a comprehensive diaspora database never progressed beyond planning, according to former NRI Sabha president Parvinder Kaur Banga.
Political Parties Step Up Engagement
Mohali AAP MLA Kulwant Singh defended the government's record, stating that most NRI families, especially in Mohali, are satisfied with the handling of property-related issues. Meanwhile, SAD has intensified its own outreach, sending an eight-member delegation on a three-week tour of Canadian cities including Brampton, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, and Calgary. Party leader Harjaap Singh Sangha said meetings drew 300 to 2,000 attendees and revived overseas units inactive for nearly a decade. Another SAD team toured Australia and New Zealand. Congress has not yet launched a comparable programme.
Deportees and Unfulfilled Promises
Despite these efforts, the plight of Punjabis deported from the US after illegal entry attempts via the "dunki" route remains a pressing issue. The government formed a special investigation team to crack down on fraudulent immigration firms but has made little progress on rehabilitation, skill development, and placement for returnees, leaving many promises unfulfilled.
