Karnataka govt sets up Public Grievance, NRI Ministries
Bengaluru, June 4
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday announced that the state government will establish two separate ministries, one for Public Grievances and another for Non-Resident Indians, to improve governance and address citizen concerns more effectively.
The Chief Minister was speaking after chairing a high-level meeting with senior bureaucrats, including additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, district in-charge secretaries, senior police officials, and top forest department officers at Vidhana Soudha. He later briefed the media on the decisions taken.
He said the NRI Ministry will focus on facilitating investment by overseas Indians and providing the necessary support and services.
"We are planning to start an NRI Ministry in our government. If NRIs are interested in investing in our state, this ministry will help provide the necessary facilities. I have instructed officials to prepare for it," he said.
He further announced the creation of a Public Grievance Ministry to specifically handle citizens' complaints, petitions, and issues, along with the appointment of a dedicated minister.
"In our government, we will set up a separate ministry to listen to public grievances and respond to them. A dedicated minister will be appointed. At present, several groups stage protests every day; this ministry will help address their concerns," he said.
Shivakumar said officials have been clearly instructed to function transparently and without succumbing to any external pressure.
"We have told officials that our government will not bow to caste, religion, or influence. They must work transparently and in a corruption-free manner. We expect their cooperation," he said.
He added that departments have been directed to prepare action plans within 15 days and ensure accountability across the system.
He also said officials must adopt a positive, solution-oriented approach when addressing public issues.
Shivakumar said the police have been instructed to form special units at the taluk level to curb rowdyism and monitor criminal activities.
He said both old and newly emerging criminal elements must be kept under strict surveillance to prevent law and order issues.
The Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of the Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi and said he would personally meet senior officials to improve coordination and create better administrative structures.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good intentions, but let's see the implementation. We've heard similar promises before. Will the grievance ministry have real power to penalize negligent officers? Or will it be just another department with long queues and no solutions? And for NRI Ministry, please don't make it just about IT companies in Bengaluru. Our farmers and small industries in rural Karnataka also deserve NRI investments.
As an NRI from the US, this is a welcome step. It's not just about investment – we need help with property disputes, pension issues, and getting our documents attested back home. Hope this ministry works like a single-window system. Good on Karnataka for being proactive! 🇮🇳
Very bold of CM to say no to caste, religion, or influence. But in Karnataka politics, that's easier said than done. Let's see if they actually appoint a competent minister or someone just to fill the post. Also, the 15-day action plan sounds ambitious but typical – hope officials are held accountable this time. Transparency is the key, sir!
NRI Ministry is a great idea, but I hope it's not just for show. Many of us abroad face issues with local authorities and need reliable support. The real test will be how quickly they respond to our queries. Also, the police special units to curb rowdyism – does that include stopping the late-night noise and illegal bars near residential areas? That would be a blessing!
It's good to see a state government thinking about NRIs beyond just remittances. But please
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