Non-Resident Kannadigas of Bahrain Submit Petition to Mangalore and Udupi DCs

Media Release
Bellevision Media Network

Mangaluru: The Non-Resident Kannadigas Forum Bahrain has submitted a petition to Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Mullai Magilan and Udupi Deputy Commissioner Vidyakumari K., demanding that various demands be met.

 

What is in the petition?

Bahrain, one of the Gulf countries, is a small country with about 20 thousand Kannadigas. For the past four and a half decades, efforts have been made to introduce the Kannada language, culture and rich heritage to the Kannadigas of Bahrain and the citizens of Bahrain in this country. Various organizations and various forums have been responding to the help of Kannadigas. The Non-Resident Kannadigas Forum, established under the auspices of the Karnataka Government, has been carrying out its service activities for the past several years.

 

The Karnataka government should treat the children of non-resident Kannadigas from Gulf countries like local children in Karnataka in the admission process of Karnataka colleges and should not impose the same restrictions on these children as on non-resident Kannadigas. Most of the Gulf Kannadigas are low-wage earners, blue-collar employees and construction workers. Moreover, Kannada is being taught as an optional subject in schools in Bahrain.

 

A single window system should be provided for non-resident Kannadigas in Gulf countries in every Panchayat, Taluk and District office. This will help Kannadigas who come on leave for a limited period.

In the current situation, there is a situation where one has to wait for years for the processes of purchasing land and building a house. Instead of the system of wandering to the offices of the officials, a system should be introduced where these processes can be completed online within a specified time, which is reserved for non-residents. For the proper implementation of this system, a Non-Resident Indian Liaison Officer should be appointed in the District Collector’s office.

 

The Government of Karnataka should establish NRI Help Desks in the Gulf countries either on its own or in collaboration with local NRI forums. These desks should act as a bridge between the Government of Karnataka and NRIs.

 

The government should take care of those who have lost their jobs in the Gulf countries for various reasons from a humanitarian perspective for at least a year and transfer a specified amount to their account to meet their minimum needs. The government should provide loans and subsidies to such individuals to start their own businesses.

 

When NRIs start settling in India, their NRE bank accounts are converted into local accounts within three months. This causes problems for the common people. As a result of the Gulf countries starting to issue residence permits to wealthy NRIs at a limited fee, such Indians keep their money in banks in the Gulf countries. To avoid this situation, every NRI who settles permanently in India should be allowed to continue their NRE bank accounts for three years.

 

The government should control the prices of flights to Gulf countries (currently, these companies increase prices three or four times during school holidays and festivals).

 

Respected passengers are often embarrassed due to the irresponsibility of customs and other staff at the international airports in Mangalore. Passengers who violate the laws should be punished appropriately, but all other passengers should be treated with respect. The petition demands that the number of immigration and customs staff should be increased and special counters should be opened for women and children.

 

Austin Santosh (Committee Advisor), Rajesh Shetty (Advisor), Uday Shetty Senior Member, Sanjeev Shetty Senior Member and Ashok Kodavoor were present.