Karnataka to get new ministry for Non-resident Kannadigas: Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara
Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara has declared that a separate ministry will be started by the state government to deal with the needs of Non-resident Kannadigas, similar to the move taken recently by the Kerala government.
Addressing a group of more than 15 such Non-resident Kannadigas, who were visiting the state capital on being specially invited by Speaker UT Khader, the Home Minister said on Wednesday that he also welcomed the move by the Speaker to permit the group, under the guidance of Dr. Arathi Krishna, Vice-President of the Non-resident Indians' Commission, to watch the discussions of issues concerning Non-resident Kannadigas during the Zero Hour of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
"Kerala has taken a positive step in its attempt to respond to the needs of Non-resident Indians (NRI) by setting up a new ministry. Our government would like to follow on the steps of the Kerala government by trying to support Kannadigas living outside Karnataka. The Congress had stated in the election manifesto last year that if we came to power we will start a new ministry for NRIs. Extending the idea, we now wish to support Kannadigas living outside the state too," Parameshwara explained.
He added that, while the governments start ministries for the support of NRIs, many beneficiaries of the programs under the ministry express their desire to invest in various fields in Karnataka, with a hope to help their motherland develop.
The Speaker UT Khader, commenting on the starting of the new ministry, said, "Non-resident Kannadigas have been trying to spread awareness about the beauty of their motherland wherever they live. They have also been involving themselves in various activities to serve the people here, including trying to find employment for thousands of Kannadigas, with their earnings from abroad. When Non-resident Kannadigas continue to contribute to the development of both, our state and our nation, we certainly should consider it our duty to help solve the problems they face."
Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao, who spoke on the occasion, said, "Many natives of coastal Karnataka, who are employed abroad, contribute to the progress of the state. Protecting the interests of such people is important as it also brings us investment."
Arvind Bellad, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, attributed the increase in pride among NRIs regarding their motherland to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ministers MB Patil and Priyank Kharge, MLA NA Haris and other senior political leaders spoke on the contributions of NRIs over the decades.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Pakistan reports two more polio cases; Total tally now 52
ISLAMABAD: At least two more cases of poliovirus were reported in Pakistan, taking the number of infections to 52 so far this year, a report said on Friday.
“The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the detection of two more wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases in Pakistan," an official statement said.
The fresh infections — a boy and a girl — were reported from the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
“Genetic sequencing of the samples collected from the children is underway," the statement read. Dera Ismail Khan, one of the seven polio-endemic districts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has reported five polio cases so far this year.
Of the 52 cases in the country this year, 24 are from Balochistan, 13 from Sindh, 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
There is no cure for polio. Only multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five can keep them protected.
