Bengaluru: he Karnataka government has approved the creation of a separate Department of Global Investment and Overseas Affairs to give greater institutional focus to the state’s engagement with non-resident Indians (NRIs), foreign investors and global organisations.
The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting held on Thursday. The proposed department will have a separate secretariat and minister, though it will initially function under the supervision of the Chief Minister.
Single-window system for NRI services
The new department will establish a single-window mechanism to address various requirements related to NRIs, including their affairs and welfare.
NRIs will also be issued a special card through which they can access various government services and assistance. The facility is expected to help NRIs access opportunities and services, including those related to employment abroad.
The government also plans to create a mechanism through which foreign investors and delegations visiting Karnataka can directly submit investment and partnership proposals.
Foreign investors to meet Chief Minister
Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that investors received a prompt response from the Karnataka government instead of waiting for action or considering investment opportunities in other states.
Foreign investors seeking partnerships, collaborations or investments will be able to directly meet the Chief Minister and present their proposals. These proposals will subsequently be forwarded to the concerned administrative departments for further action.
The new framework will cover several areas, including global research and development, start-ups, cultural exchange, soft power, sports diplomacy, twin-city partnerships, healthcare, medical services and tourism.
State Facilitation Board to be constituted
The Cabinet has also approved the formation of a State Facilitation Board, with the Chief Minister as chairman and the Deputy Chief Minister as vice-chairman.
Ministers in charge of Industries, Agriculture, Horticulture, IT-BT, Urban Development, Bengaluru Development, Higher Education, Energy, Health, Sports and Medical Education will serve as members.
Parameshwara said the Cabinet had held an extensive discussion on the proposal before giving its approval. Various aspects, including the possible impact on industries and different government departments, were examined during the deliberations.
The proposed facilitation department will primarily work as a co-ordination and liaison mechanism. When an investor approaches the government with a proposal concerning a particular sector, the department will facilitate a meeting with the Chief Minister, if necessary, before forwarding the proposal to the relevant department.
10-member Group of Ministers approved
The Cabinet also approved the formation of a 10-member Group of Ministers (GoM) in Karnataka, modelled on a mechanism followed by the Union government.
The Chief Minister will serve as the chairman of the GoM. Major policy and administrative decisions will be discussed by the group before being placed before the Cabinet for consideration.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara and ministers K H Muniyappa, K J George, Priyank Kharge, Krishna Byre Gowda, Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, U T Khader, Laxman Savadi, Satish Jarkiholi and M B Patil will be members.
Eight ministers appointed government spokespersons
The government has also decided to appoint eight spokespersons to issue official statements on its behalf.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara will serve as one of the spokespersons along with ministers Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, Santhosh Lad, U T Khader, Eshwar Khandre, H C Balakrishna and Laxman Savadi.
The Cabinet’s decisions are aimed at strengthening coordination within the government while creating a more structured institutional mechanism for engaging with global investors, NRIs and international organisations.