Govt urged to set up dept for non-resident Kannadigas' affairs, earmark Rs 50 cr

Bengaluru, Feb 9: A?legislature committee has recommended that the state government constitute an agency on the lines of Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs to redress the grievances of non-resident Kannadigas in India and abroad.

The committee on Welfare of Backward Classes and Minorities headed by the Congress MLA?J?R?Lobo has pointed in its report that Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) set up in 1996 is successfully functioning as an interface between the non-resident Keralites and the Kerala government.

A similar department should be set up by the Karnataka government for addressing the problems of non-resident Kannadigas (NRKs) besides safeguarding their rights.

The panel has suggested that the proposed department should open centres in major cities across the country, providing attestation facilities of educational qualification documents, certificates of birth and death, residence, marriage certificates of NRKs among others.

The committee has suggested that a job portal be set up providing details of employment opportunities abroad. Other suggestions include setting up of a relief fund for rendering immediate assistance to NRKs in need, issue of photo ID cards to NRKs and promotion of regional development with their participation.

The panel has recommended that the government set aside Rs 50 crore in the forthcoming budget for the proposed department.

Comments

At last it is a good move and good news by Karnataka government forming NORKA for the welfare and addressing the problems of Non-resident kannadigas of GCC countries. It is the long waiting demand of kannadigas residing in GCC countries. Same type of NORKA (Kerala affairs) is successfully running in Kerala and GCC countries as its branches.

NORKA branches should be opened in GCC country also with a chairman and some prominent members of Kannadigas as the members of NORKA forum.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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