Mangaluru: A delegation of Al Ihsan organisation met Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner and submitted a memorandum urging the Karnataka government to establish a separate ministry or department dedicated to the welfare, safety and social security of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), particularly Kannadigas living abroad.
The delegation highlighted the need for a dedicated government mechanism to address the concerns of lakhs of Kannadigas residing in Gulf countries and other parts of the world.
Speaking on the occasion, Al Ihsan president M Siraj Adkare said a large number of Kannadigas working and living abroad contribute significantly to their families and the state’s economy but often face various welfare, safety and social security-related challenges.
Demand for dedicated NRI welfare department
Siraj urged the Karnataka government to establish a separate ministry or department for NRI welfare to ensure that expatriate Kannadigas have access to dedicated government support.
He said such an initiative would help create an institutional mechanism to address issues faced by NRIs and their families, particularly in matters concerning welfare and social security.
According to Siraj, the demand should not remain limited to an individual organisation but should be taken up as a broader campaign involving various sections of society.
He called for collective efforts to draw the government’s attention to the concerns of Kannadigas living overseas and sought wider public and community support for the demand.
Appeal to mosques across Dakshina Kannada
Siraj also appealed to mosques across Dakshina Kannada district to come forward and support initiatives aimed at addressing the welfare and concerns of expatriate Kannadigas.
He said community institutions can play an important role in creating awareness about issues faced by NRIs and supporting efforts to seek appropriate government mechanisms for their welfare.
The organisation believes that a dedicated department would enable the state government to respond more effectively to the concerns of NRIs and provide a structured platform for addressing issues affecting expatriate families.
Memorandum submitted to Deputy Commissioner
Following the meeting, the Al Ihsan delegation formally handed over a memorandum addressed to the Karnataka government through the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner.
The memorandum called for the establishment of a separate ministry or department for NRI welfare and sought government intervention to ensure better support for Kannadigas living abroad.
The delegation said the proposed department could provide a dedicated institutional framework for dealing with welfare, safety and social security matters concerning NRIs.
The demand assumes significance for coastal Karnataka, where a substantial number of families have members working and residing in Gulf countries and other parts of the world.
Delegation members
The delegation included Abdul Qader, adviser to Al Ihsan and president of Muhiyuddin Juma Masjid, and organisation general secretary Nazir Abdul.
The representatives urged the district administration to convey their concerns and demand to the state government for consideration.
Al Ihsan also stressed the importance of building wider support for the proposal and involving community institutions in efforts to highlight the welfare requirements of expatriate Kannadigas.