The Punjab Government has appointed retired Justice Sureshwar Thakur as the new Chairman of the Punjab State Commission for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). The appointment was made on May 27, 2025, following months of administrative vacuum that left the commission without leadership.
Commission
For over eight months, the Punjab NRI Commission had been operating without a chairman or members. This lack of leadership resulted in a mounting backlog, with more than 1,000 cases pending and over 200 fresh complaints filed by NRIs remaining unresolved.
Distinguished Judicial Career
Justice Thakur, born in 1963, began practicing law in 1987 after graduating from Himachal Pradesh University. His judicial service spans several decades and includes roles as District and Sessions Judge and Registrar of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2014 and later transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2021. He retired on May 16, 2025.
Mandate of the NRI Commission
The Punjab State Commission for NRIs was established under the Non-Resident Indians Act, 2011, with the aim of safeguarding the rights and interests of NRIs connected to Punjab. The commission handles legal grievances and disputes involving NRIs, and also works to ensure their welfare in the state.
Political and Public Pressure Led to Appointment
The delay in filling the commission’s top post had drawn criticism from political leaders and NRI advocacy groups. Calls for urgent action were made by opposition parties, urging the government to restore functionality to the body tasked with addressing NRI concerns.
Expectations from the New Chairman
Justice Thakur’s appointment is expected to revitalize the commission’s functioning. His experience in the judiciary is seen as a strong asset in clearing the backlog and streamlining the process for addressing NRI grievances.
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