BENGALURU: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah used the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
forum to score a couple of political points with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to also
push the state’s investment profile forward.
Referring to the PM as “beloved,“ Siddaramaiah sought to bring to Modi’s attention the
demand from NRI forum Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) to
extend the deadline to exchange the demonetised notes up to December 30, 2017, for
NRIs and PIOs . Siddaramaiah had earlier written three caustic mails to finance minister
Arun Jaitley on the hardships demonetisation had caused other sections of the society.
Modi, however, did not respond to this attempt to champion the NRI cause also.
Siddaramaiah further stressed Karnataka’s pro-NRI stance by pointing to the newlyreleased
policy catering to their interests “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.”
The facilities offered in the state NRI policy, according to state officials, is better than those in Punjab and Kerala.“Karnataka has been
ranked first for its healthy business climate and attracting investments by the World Bank’s Investment Climate Index and Bengaluru has
been adjudged as the Best Indian City to Live in, according to Quality of Living Survey Worldwide Rankings-2011,“ Siddaramaiah said.
“The figures published by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion in August 2016 reveal that Karnataka stands first in the
investment attractiveness. We are also the state with the highest export relative to the state GDP . Karnataka is also considered as the
fastest growing market in India.”
The chief minister quoted figures from the industries department and said: “From the time our government assumed office, nearly 800
projects to the tune of Rs 2.29 lakh crore investment have been approved.These have the potential to create employment opportunities
for about 5.79 lakh people. Projects worth Rs 80,000 crore are in the pipeline.”
Karnataka gives better returns on NRI funds than others: CM Siddaramaia
