The Punjabi NRI Conclave 2008 was launched on Saturday at Taj Hotel, Chandigarh but the professional and business-like agenda' as promised by Sukhbir Badal was not seen during the gathering .

The hotel had originally allocated places to each delegate, but it soon turned out to be a free-for-all party, leaving several guests standing while others were seen sharing chairs.

Over 500 NRI delegates were present at the conclave as against confirmed participation of 200. Badal had to apologize for lack of proper arrangements.

A senior official at the hotel said, “We were told that the guests would number around 250. But now they are over 550. We have the back up to cater to them with food and other things but there is not enough space for people to sit or stand. We are trying our best.”

The government has sought NRI investments in real estate, hospital, healthcare, aviation, hospitality and retail sectors.

Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab declared that his government would turn the state into a power surplus region. Four new thermal plants were coming up which would hike the power generation from the present 6200 to over 11000 MWs in the next four years.

Referring to the urban development initiatives, he disclosed that Rs 3200 crore plan for Amritsar and Rs 200 crore for Ludhiana has already been put in place and cleared by the center government.

The proposal for setting an IIM and IIT in the state has also been approved by the government of India, he added.

He further stated that the state government had decided to set up special fast track court for NRI related cases for which the Punjab and Haryana High Court has been approached. The problems regarding Visa faced by NRIs will be taken up with the Government of India.

In future, all revenue records will be put on website, from which NRIs can get details of their properties anywhere in the world with the click of button, Mr. Badal said.

Among other important decision, Prakash Singh Badal said that the scheme for 50:50 matching grant for NRI investments in development projects will be expedited.

Prominent NRIs from Punjab, including New York-based businessman Sant Singh Chatwal, former British Columbia premier Ujjal Dosanjh, and Canadian and European MPs were also present during the function.