Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Ravjot Singh today expressed serious concern over the difficulties being faced by Punjabi students in Canada regarding post-study work permits and asserted that the Punjab Government was making every possible effort to safeguard their interests.Speaking in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Cabinet Minister said that nearly 1,500 students in Calgary have been affected by the ongoing crisis over the denial of post-graduation work permits. The state government was closely monitoring the situation to better understand their concerns and take effective steps in their support.Singh said that he had written to Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, seeking an appointment to discuss the issue at the earliest. In his letter, he urged the Government of India to take up the matter with the Canadian Government through diplomatic channels so that timely relief could be provided to the affected students.The Cabinet Minister said that these are our children, who travelled to Canada after spending nearly Rs 20 lakh each in the hope of securing a better future for themselves and their families. At the time of admission, they were assured that upon successful completion of their two-year academic programme, they would become eligible for post-study work permits. However, the large-scale refusal of work permits has left many students facing severe mental, financial, and legal hardships.Singh further said that a large number of affected students have directly approached him seeking assistance. He assured that the Punjab Government was listening to their concerns with utmost sensitivity and was committed to extending every possible support.He said that many students have already initiated legal proceedings before the Federal Court of Canada. If required, the Punjab Government would also explore the possibility of facilitating common legal representation for the affected students by engaging appropriate legal counsel, thereby reducing the financial burden on them.He also urged Members of Parliament of Punjabi origin in Canada to rise above political affiliations and collectively raise this humanitarian issue before the Canadian Government.