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.