A delegation representing 78 organisations of the Kannadiga diaspora submitted a memorandum to Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday, seeking the creation of a separate department and the appointment of a minister to oversee NRI affairs. The memorandum was presented by businessman Ronald Colaco, who led the delegation.
Demands for a Dedicated NRI Secretariat
Colaco stated that a dedicated secretariat would strengthen engagement with the global Kannadiga diaspora, facilitate investments in Karnataka, provide an effective grievance redressal mechanism, and address various concerns faced by Kannadigas living abroad. He noted that around 18 lakh overseas Kannadigas live across the world, and including second-generation families, the diaspora population is estimated at nearly 25 lakh.
According to Colaco, overseas Kannadigas contribute approximately 8% of India's total inward remittances, amounting to an estimated $10–11 billion annually through family remittances, charitable contributions, and property purchases. In the last decade, NRIs from Karnataka have invested Rs 8,000 crore in various parts of the state, including Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru, and Hubballi.
Comparisons with Other States
Colaco highlighted that several states, including Kerala, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu, have established dedicated departments to handle NRI affairs. Such institutional mechanisms have helped attract investments from the diaspora and provide focused support to overseas residents. Currently, NRIs have to approach multiple government departments for different issues, which is often cumbersome and time-consuming. A dedicated department would streamline processes, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and improve the ease of doing business for overseas Kannadigas looking to invest in Karnataka.
The delegation urged the government to appoint MLC Arathi Krishna as the minister for the dedicated department when it is created.
Impact of West Asia Conflict
Representatives said the economic impact of the West Asia conflict has prompted many NRIs to explore investment opportunities in India. Businessman Mohammed Saleem said, “The conflict in West Asia has affected several sectors. As a result, many NRIs are looking to diversify their investments in India as well as in countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. For overseas Kannadigas, Karnataka remains the most preferred destination because of our roots. However, there is a need for a more conducive ecosystem and a mechanism that can make investment processes smoother and hassle-free.”
Additional Benefits of a Dedicated Department
Businessman Hidayath Addoor said, “The establishment of a dedicated NRI secretariat headed by a minister would not only help attract investments from overseas Kannadigas but also facilitate investment inflows from the countries where they reside. Apart from this, the dedicated department would help in addressing the grievances of overseas Kannadigas when they are in distress.”
Colaco added that the chief minister responded positively to the demands raised by non-resident Kannadigas during the meeting.
