New government aims to improve citizen outreach, streamline grievance redressal and boost overseas investment
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced plans to establish two dedicated secretariats — one to address public grievances and another to handle issues concerning Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) — as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve administrative responsiveness.
The announcement was made during a review meeting with senior government officials, including representatives from the police and Forest Department, on the Chief Minister’s first day in office after taking oath.
According to Mr. Shivakumar, the proposed Public Grievances Secretariat will be headed by a Cabinet Minister and will focus on addressing concerns raised by organisations, associations and groups that often resort to protests to draw attention to their demands. The body will engage directly with such groups, assess the legitimacy of their concerns and coordinate efforts to resolve them.
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The government also plans to establish an NRI Secretariat to serve as a dedicated platform for overseas Kannadigas facing administrative and legal challenges
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Property disputes, documentation issues, delays in government services and investment-related hurdles are among the common concerns expected to be handled by the proposed body
Officials believe the secretariat could act as a nodal agency, coordinating with multiple departments and reducing bureaucratic hurdles for NRIs seeking assistance from abroad. The government has also indicated that legal and procedural reforms may be introduced to make it easier for NRIs to invest in sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, innovation and industry.
Mr. Shivakumar stressed that his administration would function free from caste or religious pressures and urged officials to work transparently within the legal framework. He directed district in-charge secretaries to submit development proposals within 25 days and instructed all departments to prepare action plans within 15 days.
The Chief Minister also addressed concerns regarding the Gruha Jyothi free electricity scheme, stating that data collection was underway to identify misuse, including commercial use of subsidised power and cases involving multiple electricity connections under a single beneficiary.
While the proposed secretariats have been welcomed as a step towards improving governance, their effectiveness will depend on the powers granted to them and their ability to deliver timely solutions across departments.
