Karnataka NRIs Seek Dedicated Ministry, Submit Memorandum to CM
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Dec 14, 2025: A delegation of Karnataka-origin Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from across the globe has urged the state government to set up a dedicated ministry for NRIs, citing an unfulfilled promise in the 2023 election manifesto.
The demand was raised during a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and senior officials in Belagavi by a 42-member delegation led by UAE-based businessman Ronald Colaco of Mangaluru and MLC Arathi Krishna. The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and others, highlighting key concerns faced by Kannadiga NRIs.
Colaco said the manifesto promise to establish a separate NRI ministry remains unimplemented even after 2.5 years. He noted that Karnataka is lagging behind states such as Kerala, which has a dedicated NRI ministry, while several other states have institutional mechanisms such as NRI departments, grievance cells and investment facilitation bodies.
The delegation sought insurance cover for returning NRIs, a streamlined investment process, and a dedicated mechanism to address grievances including property fraud, land grabbing, document forgery and prolonged legal proceedings. They said the absence of a structured framework adversely affects the estimated 25–30 lakh Kannadigas working abroad.
The NRIs also proposed a ₹1,000 crore revolving fund to support Kannadiga NRIs wishing to invest, set up industries or permanently relocate to Karnataka. Colaco described the fund as an investment vehicle to attract diaspora capital, generate employment and boost exports.
Additional demands included curbing steep airfare hikes from Gulf countries to Mangaluru during holiday seasons, starting direct flights from select Gulf destinations, and establishing a Kannada Bhavan, similar to the one in Bahrain. NRI businessman Sarvotham Shetty of Abu Dhabi said Colaco and Fortune Group of Hotels chairman Vakwady Praveen Kumar Shetty have pledged financial support for the Kannada Bhavan initiative.
MLC Arathi Krishna said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured the delegation that the matter would be discussed with the party high command, while Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar indicated that a separate NRI ministry would be announced by March 2026.