Latest news with #NorthAmericanPunjabiAssociation
Hans India
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
NAPA demands Punjab govt to withdraw land pooling scheme
Chandigarh: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) on Saturday issued a warning to the Punjab government over the 'controversial' Land Pooling Scheme. NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal said that if the government fails to withdraw this 'anti-farmer' scheme, it will become extremely difficult to control the rightful landowners, whose livelihoods and ancestral lands are under direct threat. Chahal emphasised that the Punjab Government must act responsibly and immediately revoke this policy, which has sparked widespread resentment among farmers and landowners across the state. He urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann not to blindly follow Arvind Kejriwal and his team, who are consistently pushing policies that are detrimental to Punjab's interests. 'Punjab's unique socio-economic fabric cannot withstand such experimental schemes designed by people who do not understand the ground realities of our state,' Chahal said. 'It is high time that the Punjab Government starts taking independent decisions in the larger interest of its people rather than becoming a laboratory for Delhi's political agendas,' he added. NAPA reminded the Punjab government that the farmers of the state have already made countless sacrifices for the nation's food security and deserve respect and fair treatment—not policies that threaten their existence. The association warned that any attempt to implement the Land Pooling Scheme forcibly would lead to a massive statewide agitation, which could spiral out of control if the genuine concerns of the people are ignored.
The Hindu
02-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
NAPA demands Punjab government to withdraw Land Pooling scheme
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) on Saturday (August 1, 2025) issued a warning to the Punjab government over the "controversial" Land Pooling Scheme. NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal said that if the government fails to withdraw this "anti-farmer" scheme, it will become extremely difficult to control the rightful landowners, whose livelihoods and ancestral lands are under direct threat. Mr. Chahal emphasised that the Punjab Government must act responsibly and immediately revoke this policy, which has sparked widespread resentment among farmers and landowners across the state. He urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann not to blindly follow Arvind Kejriwal and his team, who are consistently pushing policies that are detrimental to Punjab's interests. "Punjab's unique socio-economic fabric cannot withstand such experimental schemes designed by people who do not understand the ground realities of our state," Mr. Chahal said. "It is high time that the Punjab Government starts taking independent decisions in the larger interest of its people rather than becoming a laboratory for Delhi's political agendas," he added. NAPA reminded the Punjab government that the farmers of the state have already made countless sacrifices for the nation's food security and deserve respect and fair treatment—not policies that threaten their existence. The association warned that any attempt to implement the Land Pooling Scheme forcibly would lead to a massive statewide agitation, which could spiral out of control if the genuine concerns of the people are ignored.
Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Indian Express
Punjabis falling prey to ‘human trafficking': NAPA seeks scrutiny of ads by travel agents
Chandigarh: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has called for stringent scrutiny of foreign job advertisements by travel agents in Punjab, claiming people from the state were falling prey to human trafficking and deceptive migration schemes. Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director of the US-based NAPA, emphasised that every year, hundreds of young Punjabis, driven by the dream of a better future in Western nations, end up being exploited by unregulated agents. These agents often work through sophisticated networks and use flashy advertisements in newspapers, social media, and local TV channels to lure innocent people. 'They are promised high-paying jobs abroad, but instead, many are abandoned in transit countries or forced into inhumane conditions. These agents charge anywhere between Rs 20 and 50 lakh, pushing families into lifelong debt,' he said. He alleged that unscrupulous agents, operating not only from Punjab but also from metropolitan hubs like New Delhi and even foreign countries like the USA, are running a parallel economy based on deceit and exploitation. 'There must be a system in place to scrutinise whether a travel agent has valid licenses and legal authorisations to offer jobs overseas,' Chahal asserted. He recommended that all job-related advertisements by travel agents should be vetted by authorities such as the Protector of Emigrants and local police departments. He also stressed the need for digital tracking and reporting mechanisms to monitor these agents' activities across states and international jurisdictions. Chahal warned that the unchecked flow of irregular migration not only affects individuals but also tarnishes the reputation of the entire Indian diaspora. 'There are countless cases of Punjabi youths being jailed in Mexico, Panama, and other Latin American countries while en route to the USA or Canada. The rampant violation of their basic human rights in these regions is alarming,' he said. He called upon both Indian and international authorities to take coordinated action. 'Transit and destination countries must treat such migrants as victims rather than criminals. Stronger international cooperation is required to dismantle human trafficking syndicates,' he said. Chahal also proposed the creation of a comprehensive national and international database to monitor patterns in illegal migration. Chahal urged the Indian government to initiate awareness drives in rural and semi-urban areas where such fraudulent practices are most prevalent.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
NAPA seeks stricter checks on travel ads as Punjabis fall to trafficking
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has called for stringent scrutiny of foreign job advertisements by travel agents in Punjab, claiming people from the state were falling prey to human trafficking and deceptive migration schemes. Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director of the US-based NAPA, emphasised that every year, hundreds of young Punjabis, driven by the dream of a better future in Western nations, end up being exploited by unregulated agents. These agents often work through sophisticated networks and use flashy advertisements in newspapers, social media, and local TV channels to lure innocent people. "They are promised high-paying jobs abroad, but instead, many are abandoned in transit countries or forced into inhumane conditions. These agents charge anywhere between Rs 20 and 50 lakh, pushing families into lifelong debt," he said. He alleged that unscrupulous agents, operating not only from Punjab but also from metropolitan hubs like New Delhi and even foreign countries like the USA, are running a parallel economy based on deceit and exploitation. "There must be a system in place to scrutinise whether a travel agent has valid licenses and legal authorisations to offer jobs overseas," Chahal asserted. He recommended that all job-related advertisements by travel agents should be vetted by authorities such as the Protector of Emigrants and local police departments. He also stressed the need for digital tracking and reporting mechanisms to monitor these agents' activities across states and international jurisdictions. Chahal warned that the unchecked flow of irregular migration not only affects individuals but also tarnishes the reputation of the entire Indian diaspora. "There are countless cases of Punjabi youths being jailed in Mexico, Panama, and other Latin American countries while en route to the USA or Canada. The rampant violation of their basic human rights in these regions is alarming," he said. He called upon both Indian and international authorities to take coordinated action. "Transit and destination countries must treat such migrants as victims rather than criminals. Stronger international cooperation is required to dismantle human trafficking syndicates," he said. Chahal also proposed the creation of a comprehensive national and international database to monitor patterns in illegal migration. Chahal urged the Indian government to initiate awareness drives in rural and semi-urban areas where such fraudulent practices are most prevalent.
New Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
NAPA urges SGPC to act immediately to retrieve Guru Granth Sahib 'saroops' from war-torn Iran
CHANDIGARH: The North American Punjabi Association on Friday appealed to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the broader Panthic leadership to safeguard the sacred 'saroops' of the Guru Granth Sahib kept at a gurdwara in war-hit Iran's Tehran. Satnam Singh Chahal, the executive director of the association, urged the SGPC to immediately arrange a chartered aircraft and deploy a group of five dedicated Sikhs to accompany the 'saroops' (physical copy of Guru Granth Sahib) back home with full respect. Reacting to SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami appealing to the Union government to arrange for the transportation of the 'saroops' to India, Chahal said the gurdwara management body has the resources and moral responsibility to act independently in the matter. "This is not the time to rely solely on appeals to the Union government. Time is of the essence, and any delay could lead to irreparable consequences. We cannot afford to wait for bureaucratic processes. The safety and sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib Ji's saroops must be our top priority," Chahal said. Highlighting the urgency of the matter, especially amid the escalating conflict in the region, Chahal warned that relying on the central government's decision-making could result in dangerous delays. "The SGPC has the resources and moral responsibility to act independently in this religious matter," he said.
