Chandigarh, Aug 11 - Punjab will conduct a unique census to identify Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from the state.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is also the minister in charge of NRI's affairs, Tuesday ordered a comprehensive census of NRIs from Punjab.

'This is being done so that schemes for their welfare can be initiated in a well coordinated manner,' Badal said here.

Badal issued the instructions for the NRI census during his interaction with Belfast (Ireland)-based NRI and philanthropist, Lord Diljit Rana.

'All deputy commissioners in Punjab will be asked to start a door-to-door survey in every village, town and city of Punjab for compiling most detailed data bank of all the NRIs hailing from Punjab in their respective districts,' Badal said.