Karnataka to have Global Investment and Overseas Affairs Department

G. Parameshwara

| Photo Credit: File Photo

After the recently announced Praja Seva Department to address grievances of the public, Karnataka will now have a Global Investment and Overseas Affairs Department to address the welfare of Non-Resident Kannadigas, besides providing a platform for foreign delegations, investors, and diplomats to deal with the State government.Along with the setting up of the new department, the State Cabinet on Thursday proposed to issue NRI-K cards.Single-window system“It will act like a single-window system to deal with foreign delegations, investment facilitation, partnerships, and cooperation, among others. The department’s Secretariat will enable meetings of foreign delegations with the Chief Minister, and after discussions, the proposals will be sent to administrative departments,” Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara told presspersons in his post-Cabinet briefing. The department would also look at global cultural exchanges, global research and development, health, and tourism issues, he said.He said that a facilitation council, chaired by the Chief Minister and comprising Ministers heading Power, Urban Development, Health, Higher Education, Information Technology, and Sports, would be set up under the department. “This department will be headed by a Minister. For now, it will be headed by the Chief Minister,” Dr. Parmeshwara said.Group of MinistersOn the lines of the Group of Ministers currently operational at the Centre, the State would have a ‘Group of Ministers’ to discuss issues before they are brought before the Cabinet or before a decision is taken by the government.“There should not be a feeling that the Chief Minister alone is taking decisions,” Dr. Parameshwara said, adding that the Group of Ministers would be headed by the Chief Minister with himself, K.H. Muniyappa, K.J. George, Priyank Kharge, Krishna Byre Gowda, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, U.T. Khader, Laxman Savadi, Satish Jarkiholi, and M.B. Patil as members.Government spokespersonsThe Cabinet has also decided to appoint Ministers Dr. Parameshwara, Mr. Byre Gowda, Mr. Kharge, Santhosh Lad, Mr. Khader, Eshwar Khandre, Mr. Savadi, and H.C. Balakrishna as government spokespersons.The Deputy Chief Minister said that the statements given by them would be seen as “a legitimate government stance”, and statements of anyone else would be treated as their personal opinion. Published - September 03, 2026 08:35 pm IST