Karnataka CM wants Budget to provide concessions for NRIs

Keeping Karnataka’s large IT/ITeS manpower pool in mind, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday raised the issue of movement of skilled workers across borders due to severe visa restrictions.

Addressing the 14th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here as the host state, the Chief Minister said “The event is being held in the backdrop of many far-reaching changes across the world. Particularly, the recent changes in the US and the UK.

“The tightening of H-1B visas to the US, complex and harsh visa restrictions to the UK raise questions on effective movement of skilled workers across borders,” he added.

He said “It would not be out of place to urge the Union Government, the Finance Ministry, in particular, to be conscious of these changes and announce suitable concessions for the NRI and PIO Community in the Budget to be presented shortly.”

The recent unpleasant incidents in Bengaluru concerning assaults on women have been viewed very seriously and our government is committed to bringing to book the perpetrators of these kinds of heinous crimes, said Siddaramaiah.

“Ensuring safety and protecting the dignity of women remains our top-most priority. Effective steps are being taken to increase the rate of conviction in such cases,” he added.

Realising the need for forging a symbiotic relationship between Karnataka and its Diaspora, Siddaramaiah said, “Our government has set up the Non-Resident Indian Forum in Karnataka, which has been playing a pivotal role in strengthening linkages between Karnataka Diaspora and several organisations spread across the globe, besides motivating them to bring in investments to the State.”

“I am glad to share with you that we have announced the NRI Policy of Karnataka, just two days ago, with a vision to play a catalytic role in achieving sustainable linkages between the State and non-resident Kannadigas and non-resident Indians across the globe, so that, a progressive, prosperous, robust and vibrant Karnataka is built,” he added.

Bringing to the Prime Minister’s notice problems faced by NRIs and PIOs on recent note ban, Siddaramaiah said “I would like to draw the kind attention of the Prime Minister to the resolutions passed in the Global Convention of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) held in Bengaluru on January 6, seeking extension of time till December 30, 2017 for NRIs and PIO to exchange and or deposit high denomination specified bank notes in Reserve Bank of India or State Bank of India.”

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