Karnataka will have a Global Investment and Overseas Affairs Department

G. Parameshwara | Photo credit: File Photo

After recently announcing a Praja Seva Department to address public grievances, 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 engage with the state government.

Along with setting up the new department, the state cabinet on Thursday proposed to issue NRI-K cards.

One window system

“It will function as a single window system which will deal with foreign delegations, investment facilitation, partnership and cooperation, among others. The department’s secretariat will allow foreign delegations to meet with the chief minister and after deliberation, proposals will be sent to the administrative departments,” Deputy Minister G. Parameshwara told reporters at his post-Cabinet briefing. The department will also deal with global cultural exchanges, global research and development, health and tourism issues, he said.

He said that a facilitation council would be set up under the ministry, chaired by the chief minister and comprising ministers for power, urban development, health, higher education, information technology and sports. “This department will be headed by a minister. For the time being, it will be headed by the chief minister,” said Dr. Parmeshwara.

Group of Ministers

Along the lines of the Group of Ministers currently operating at the Centre, the state would have a ‘Group of Ministers’ to discuss issues before they are presented to the government or before the government takes a decision.

“There should not be a feeling that the Chief Minister is taking decisions alone,” said Dr. Parameshwara and added that the Group of Ministers will be led by the Chief Minister with himself KH Muniyappa, KJ George, Priyank Kharge, Krishna Byre Gowda, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, UT Khader, Laxman MB Savadiho, members of Sat.

government spokesman

The cabinet also decided to appoint ministers Dr. Parameshwara, Mr. Byre Gowda, Mr. Kharge, Santhosh Lad, Mr. Khader, Eshwar Khandre, Mr. Savadi and HC Balakrishna as Government Spokesperson.

The deputy minister said their statements would be considered a “legitimate government position” and anyone else’s statements would be considered their personal opinion.

Published – 03 Sep 2026 20:35 IST