Latest news with #Kharge
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
K'taka Minister Kharge writes to EAM Jaishankar seeking clarification on denial of clearance for US visit
Bengaluru: Minister for RDPR, IT and BT, Priyank Kharge, has written a letter to the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday seeking clarification on denial of political clearance for an official visit to the United States. In his letter, Minister Kharge stated, 'I am writing to seek a formal clarification from the Ministry of External Affairs on the denial of political clearance for my scheduled official visit to the United States from June 14-27, 2025." "The visit was planned around two significant international forums, the BIO International Convention in Boston and the Design Automation Conference (DAC) in San Francisco, as well as several official meetings with top companies, universities and institutions, where I was to represent the Government of Karnataka to explore collaborations, attract investments and create employment opportunities for the state,' he said. "In the absence of a formal communication from the Ministry outlining the reasons for denial, it becomes difficult to assess and plan future engagements of this nature. It also raises concerns about the consistency of the process, especially when the visits are official, sector-critical and in National Interest," Minister Kharge noted. 'I would, therefore, request the Ministry to kindly provide a formal explanation for the denial and consider a more transparent and consultative approach in handling such official engagements in the future,' Priyank Kharge demanded. Karnataka is the technology capital and growth engine of not just India, but the Asia-Pacific region. It has emerged as a global leader in innovation and start-ups, consistently maintaining its position at the forefront of information technology, biotechnology, electronics design and manufacturing, aerospace, space technology and Defence production, he further stated. This leadership has been built through a dynamic ecosystem powered by forward-looking State-led policies and deep global partnerships, earning Karnataka its status as a preferred destination for international collaboration and investment, Kharge stated. "Given Karnataka's unique leadership as stated above, the absence of ministerial-level representation during an official visit of such significance is a lost opportunity to further elevate India's engagement, strengthen confidence among global partners and demonstrate the seriousness with which we approach these sectors. More importantly, participation in such visits are aligned with our National priorities and would have directly supported the larger vision of 'Viksit Bharat' laid out by the Prime Minister," Kharge emphasised. Commenting on the Central government's denial of permission for his visit to the US, Minister Priyank Kharge had stated on Thursday that the NDA government was attempting to undermine Karnataka's success. Speaking to reporters at the Bengaluru International Airport after returning from a tour of Paris, Priyank Kharge had said, 'It seems they are trying to prevent Karnataka's success.' 'It is okay if they reject the permission, but there must be valid reasons for doing so. If they provide appropriate reasons, it becomes acceptable. However, the categorical denial of permission for the US visit is not right,' he stated. 'We were not going to the US to play 'Dandiya' (a traditional dance form). I will meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to discuss this matter. After the discussion, we will brief the media,' he said. "The Central government must provide valid reasons for refusing the visit to the US. Initially, the entire delegation was denied permission. Later, the delegation was cleared, but I was still denied permission,' Kharge said.
India Gazette
6 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Congress President Kharge extends birthday wishes to President Murmu
New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended warm birthday greetings to President Droupadi Murmu on Friday, lauding her commitment to national development and justice. In a post on X, Kharge conveyed the Indian National Congress's wishes to the President on her special day. 'On behalf of the Indian National Congress, we extend our warm birthday wishes to the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji. May her wisdom and unwavering dedication to the nation's progress, welfare, and justice continue to lead the country on the path of truth and virtuousness. We wish her a long, healthy, and fulfilling life,' Kharge wrote. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi wished President Droupadi Murmu a happy birthday and prayed for her long and healthy life. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, 'Hearty congratulations and best wishes to Honourable President Draupadi Murmu ji on her birthday.' 'I wish you a healthy and long life,' the post read.. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished President Droupadi Murmu a happy birthday and praised her life, leadership, and dedication to serving the nation. In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, 'Warmest birthday wishes to Rashtrapati Ji. Her life and leadership continue to inspire crores of people across the country. Her unwavering commitment to public service, social justice and inclusive development are a beacon of hope and strength for everyone. In his message, PM Modi also lauded President Murmu's lifelong efforts to uplift the underprivileged. 'She has always worked to empower the poor and downtrodden. May she be blessed with a long and healthy life in service of the people,' he added. Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of India on 25 July 2022. Previously, she was the Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021. According to the President of India's website, she has devoted her life to empowering the downtrodden and marginalised sections and deepening democratic values. Born in a Santhali tribal family on 20 June 1958 at Uparbeda village, Mayurbhanj, Odisha, Murmu's early life was marked by hardships and struggle. After completing primary education from the village school, she went to Bhubaneswar on her own initiative to continue her studies. She earned the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Ramadevi Women's College, Bhubaneswar and became the first woman from her village to receive college education. (ANI)
Hans India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Minister slams Centre over denial of permission for US visit
Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday criticised the Centre for denying him permission to travel to the US to interact with multinational companies to attract investments to the state. According to sources, Kharge was slated to lead a delegation to Boston for Bio 2025 and San Francisco for Design Automation Conference. However, due to denial of permission, he was forced to cut short his ongoing trip and returned from Paris to Bengaluru on Wednesday night. Kharge vowed to raise the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs and seek its response for denying him permission. 'It seems that somewhere Centre is trying to curtail the fame of Karnataka,' the Minister, who holds Information Technology and Biotechnology portfolio, told reporters here. He acknowledged the union government's authority to decline permission but stressed the need for a justification for the decision. 'Rejecting my official tour is improper,' Kharge added. The minister said he would take it up with the Centre. 'We will not leave it just like that. I am going to write to the MEA seeking a valid explanation on why there was a denial of our delegation and a support from the Government of India,' Kharge said. He also requested the Chief Minister to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kharge also said that he was visiting the US not to discuss politics but to attract investments. 'People in the USA have no time to listen to our politics. We are going there to invite them to invest in Karnataka. The investment that comes to Karnataka will not only benefit the state but also the Centre,' the Minister insisted.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Priyank Kharge to write to MEA seeking explanation on denying permission for official U.S. trip
Karnataka's Information Technology/ Biotechnology and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Priyank Kharge said that he will write to the Ministry of External Affairs seeking a valid explanation on the Centre denying him permission to travel to the U.S. on a scheduled official trip. Addressing presspersons here after returning from Paris on Wednesday night, Mr. Kharge said he will also request Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to write to the Prime Minister in this regard. Mr. Kharge was scheduled to attend multiple events in the U.S., including the BIO International Convention in Boston and the Design Automation Conference (DAC) in San Francisco. However, due to denial of permission, he was forced to cut short his ongoing trip and returned from Paris to Bengaluru on Wednesday night. Centre's authority Acknowledging the Centre's authority to decline permission, he asserted that there should be a justification for this decision. 'We are okay with the denial but give us reasons. Rejecting my official tour without a valid reason is unjustifiable. My visit to the US was not to discuss politics but to attract investments. People in the US have no time to listen to our politics. We were going there to invite them to invest in Karnataka. The investment that comes to Karnataka will not only benefit the State but also the Centre,' he said. 'During my visit I was scheduled to interact with multinational companies to attract investments to Karnataka. We are competing not just with other neighbouring states such as Telangana and Tamil Nadu. We are ahead of the curve and we are competing with other countries such as China, Vietnam and the Philippines. How will they know our policy? We have to go there, make a presentation and pitch our proposals. It appears that the Centre is trying to curtail Karnataka's economic growth,' the Minister said. Alleging that the Prime Minister had 'outsourced' its foreign policy, Mr Kharge said he had now also outsourced the country's investment policy. Stating that he would take it up with the Centre, Mr Kharge said, 'I am going to write to the MEA seeking a valid explanation on why permission and support from the Centre was denied to our delegation.'
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Denied permission for US visit, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge says will seek explanation from MEA
After the Ministry of External Affairs denied him permission to lead a delegation to the United States seeking investments in Karnataka, IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge said on Thursday that he would write to the MEA for an explanation besides requesting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kharge, who had sought permission to visit the US from June 14 to 27, said the delegation from the Karnataka IT/BT department had fixed appointments with various company heads and think tanks in New York and Boston. 'Had we sent a proposal (to the MEA) at the last minute, it was natural to be rejected. But we had planned it in advance,' he said. The proposal for the delegation was cleared by the chief minister in the first week of May, following which it was sent to the MEA on May 15. 'On June 4, it was rejected. We have no problem if the visit is denied due to some reasons… But on June 6, I withdrew my name and sent only the list of the delegation of officers attending the trip. One June 11 it was cleared despite having the same officers and same minute-to-minute programme,' he said. The delegation, without Kharge, is scheduled to have around 30 meetings during its US visit. On June 12, Kharge told a news conference, he sent the name of Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Chairman and MLA Sharath Bachegowda as the leader of the delegation, and the proposal was cleared by June 14. 'We will not let it go. (We) will write to MEA seeking a valid explanation on why permission was denied. If they had real concerns they should have put it on paper. If approving a delegation after the minister's name is removed is not politics, then what is?' he said. The Congress leader said ministers from other southern states such as Telangana and Tamil Nadu were also denied permission to lead delegations seeking investment. 'I will also request the CM to write to the PM… This is not healthy. As the Government of India, you have all the right to correct us. But if you don't give us a valid reason, then we will consider it as politics,' he added. On his recent trip to France, Kharge said he was there on an invitation by the organisers of the Paris Air Show. 'I had not met any government officials. Just think tanks and the people who had invited me. For that, concurrence was not required from the MEA,' he said.
