Siddaramaiah asks officials to address rural issues

After the cabinet revamp, Karnataka Chief MinisterSiddaramiah today asked officials in districts' administrationto come out of air conditioned offices and go to villages toaddress issues faced by people. Speaking at the inaugural session of two-day meeting of Regional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Zilla Panchayat CEOs here, he said they should conduct meetings to hear grievances of people and take quick action to solve them. Reminding officials about their responsibilities, he asked them to make use of vehicles and communicationfacilities they are provided with, while questioning as to whythey were still not visiting government offices, schools,hostels, hospitals that come under their jurisdiction andinspect the working of their subordinate officials.

The meeting with the officials came close on the heels of the cabinet reshuffle in which he sacked 14 ministers and inducted 13 others to burnish the party's image with two years left for Assembly polls.
Siddaramiah asked the officials to introspect about anti-encroachment drives conducted and how much government land they had been able to protect so far.
Pointing out inefficiencies on the part of district administration officials in carrying out their responsibilities, Siddaramaiah asked them to make surprise visitsand seek a log of day-to-day activities. He also questioned about shortcomings in various social security schemes and supply of drinking water in certain districts.

Siddaramaiah directed DCs to act against corrupt officers for harassing public for not giving bribe, specifically at sub-registrar offices.
"Are you not aware thatsuch things are happening? Isn't it your duty to providejustice to such people?" he said.

He said that "for your mistakes people curse us, once in five years they vent out their anger against us. Just because you are appointed don't think that you are safe till retirement.Their curse will affect you, don't forget that."
Directing DCs and CEOs to hold meetings in all districts to hear public grievances and solve them quickly, he said district in-charge ministers and all the district officials should be part of such meetings.

Also a report has to be submitted to the government about such meetings held and action taken on the issues or problems raised in them.
Asking officials to act on issues or complaints pointed out by the media, Siddaramaih said he will review actions taken on the issues discussed in the meeting. "This is my last chance for you," he warned.