Parents, children to get residency on arrival

Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service

The Russian government has initiated the process to grant permanent residency (PR) to five members of the family of Tejpal Singh, who was killed fighting for the Russian army in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on March 12.

Confirming the development, Tejpal’s widow Parminder Kaur said she had been granted PR while other members of her family — her children and Tejpal’s parents — would be granted the permanent residency on arrival in Russia.

She said the Russian government had started giving a monthly allowance of Rs 20,000 each to her children — seven-year-old Armandeep Singh and four-year-old Gurnaazdeep Kaur — to meet their education and lodging expenses since March.

Returning after her three-month stay in Moscow this week, Parminder said there was no word from the government on handing over her husband’s mortal remains.

She will fly to Moscow in February to complete the remaining paper work. The entire family plans to visit Russia in May when the harsh winter will subside there. Once Tejpal’s parents land in Russia, they will also start getting pension there.