Dr Arathi Krishna assures sops for non-resident Kannadigas in Gulf

Dammam, Feb 26: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government has taken a series of measures for the welfare of the non-resident Kannadigas in Gulf, said Dr Arathi Krishna, Deputy Chairperson of NRI Forum of Karnataka government.

Speaking at a felicitation programme organized by the NRI Forum of Eastern Province in Saud Arabia’s Dammam, recently she said that the government’s first priority is to distribute NRK cards for all non-resident Kannadigas.

She said that the government has already earmarked funds in the budget this year for the welfare of NRKs. Government’s official wing, NRI Forum, has already set up NRI welfare centers in commissioner office at each district, she said and assured that the Forum will make necessary arrangements for the Saudi returnee Kannadigas in the wake of ongoing job market crisis.

She was given a warm felicitation by Mrs Joey Fernandes, Mrs Madhav Ameen and women fraternity representatives. Zakariya Bajpe Al-Muzain, president of the Karnataka NRI Forum of Eastern Province, and other office bearers presented her mementos.

In his welcome address, Zakariya Bajpe lauded the historical visit of Dr Arathi Krishna and appealed Kannadigas to come under one platform so that NRKs in Saudi Arabia can engage with Karnataka government.

Community leaders, business elites, organizational representatives from Eastern Province attended at the event held at Hotel Holiday Inn Alkhobar. They welcomed NRI Forum’s strategies towards addressing the issues of NRKs.

KNRI Forum of Eastern province handed over a memorandum Dr Arathi Krishna urging the Karnataka government to take pragmatic steps and draft policies and systems as the basis for the protection and welfare of Saudi return Kannadigas as well as the ones who continue their stay in Saudi Arabia for the job purpose. Representatives from several NRI organizations briefed their activities and contribution for the social cause in Karnataka.

Saudi Ministry of Labor & Social Development representatives Abdul Latheef Saleh Al Naeemi, Abdul Khalik Al Qasimi, Sadik Abdullah Mud Al Abbasi, Karnataka NRI Forum of Eastern Province’s Vice presidents Madhav Ameen and Joey Fernandese, General Secretary Mohammad Shareef, Treasurer Sheikh Expertise, Secretaries Qamaruddin and Salahuddin were also present.

Mohammad Firoz member of the KNRI Forum of Eastern Province briefed about the NRKs in Saudi Arabia. Mohammad Shareef, General proposed the vote of thanks. Arif Jokatte and Mohammad Iqbal hosted the felicitation event.

The event was sponsored by Expertise Co, Real Tech Industrial Services Co, Al-Muzain Contracting Co, Sa-ad AL Gahtani Co, Al-Manafa Transport Services and Mr. Madhav Ameen.

Prior to the Dammam event, Dr Arathi Krishna interacted with the NRKs working in the industrial projects in the industrial city of Jubail. She visited Expertise Co Labor camps where large number of NKRs work.

Dr Arathi Krishna’s official Saudi Arabia visit was aimed at assessing the problems faced by the Kannadiga expatriates in the Kingdom. She is the first woman politician from Karnataka to undertake official tour to Saudi Arabia. For the Kannadigas living in Saudi Arabia, this was a much awaited tour of an official representative from government of Karnataka.

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ONLY ELECTION GIMMICK , WHERE IS THE BUDGET FOR NRE, NRK IN LAST BUDGET SESSION , NOTHING !! OH AAAARTHEEE KRISHNAAA...... WE ARE ALREADY CHEATED FROM CONGRESS PARTY ERLIER. NOTHING WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU JUMLA FOR ELECTION......

But, please tell us when all your promises will be fulfilled? It should not be Amit Shah’s jumla.

All the credit goes to all the Karnataka based organizations in Dammam,Jubail,Riyadh and Jeddah for their support,hard work,dedication and cooperation for the success of felicitation programmes to Dr.Arathi Krishna Deputy chairperson Karnataka NRI Form in Riyadh,Dammam,Jubail and Jeddah. And also all the sponsors and well wishers for their unconditional support.Now it is the responsibility of all the like minded organizations to form a National level Karnataka NRI Forum and facilitate to register in Karnataka under the guidance and leadership of Dr.Arathi Krishna.

Hope this programme yields positive result. Congrats to Dr Zakariya Bajpe, Expertise and others for the initiative.

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‘Nothing for Karnataka’: DKS slams Union Budget, flags Bengaluru neglect

News Network

February 1,2026

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday criticised the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, claiming it offered no tangible benefit to the state.

Though he said he was yet to study the budget in detail, Shivakumar asserted that Karnataka had gained little from it. “There is no benefit for our state from the central budget. I was observing it. They have now named a programme after Mahatma Gandhi, after repealing the MGNREGA Act that was named after him,” he said.

Speaking to reporters here, the Deputy Chief Minister demanded the restoration of MGNREGA, and made it clear that the newly enacted rural employment scheme — VB-G RAM G — which proposes a 60:40 fund-sharing formula between the Centre and the states, would not be implemented in Karnataka.

“I don’t see any major share for our state in this budget,” he added.

Shivakumar, who also holds charge of Bengaluru development, said there were high expectations for the city from the Union Budget. “The Prime Minister calls Bengaluru a ‘global city’, but what has the Centre done for it?” he asked.

He also drew attention to the problems faced by sugar factories, particularly those in the cooperative sector, alleging a lack of timely decisions and support from the central government.

Noting that the Centre has the authority to fix the minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce, Shivakumar said the Union government must take concrete steps to protect farmers’ interests.

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