Karnataka offers special package to NRK’s to boost investment in state

As part of its new 'NRI policy', the Karnataka  government has decided to issue 'NRK cards'' to non-resident Kannadigas. The policy announced yesterday by chief minister Siddaramaiah, ahead of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, states that the card would be co-branded with leading bank/corporate. The card would offer special privileges to NRKs, including discounts at hotels, jewellery showrooms, hospitals etc apart from speedy services from all state government departments.

''The card holder will also get an accident cover of Rs2 lakh during their visit to the country.'' After releasing the policy, Siddaramaiah said, ''The state government has brought the policy for benefit of NRIs. The policy is aimed at strengthening their bond with their home land. The government has already come out with policies like industrial, IT&BT and start-ups for promoting investments.'' The government has also defined NRK; it states that ''non-resident Kannadiga is a citizen of India, a permanent resident of Karnataka who holds an Indian passport and has temporarily immigrated to another country for six months or more for employment, residence, education or any other purpose.''

Under the policy, a database on NRIs/NRKs would be created as also an interactive cloud-based site. The state government had further proposed the establishment of a special cell for NRIs/NRKs in the Karnataka Udygoa Mitra (KUM) to facilitate investors.

''The policy aims at forging a mutually beneficial relationship between the NRIs who are from Karnataka. It is formulated in order to attract investments from NRIs and these investors will also be given incentives,'' chief minister Siddaramaiah said.

As part of the new policy, an NRI Forum has been formed, and an exclusive helpline has been set up to provide advisory services for NRIs on mobilisation of investments, acquiring and disposing property, grievance redressal and for registering complaints.

The new policy would also include the formation of a welfare committee for non-resident Indians and non-resident Kannadigas (NRK).