Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar directed officials to strengthen public service, improve field administration, enforce discipline, and accelerate development during the Belagavi division-level review meeting
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar issued a strong message on governance, directing officers to remain accountable to the people, improve field administration, enforce discipline, and ensure faster delivery of government services during the Belagavi division-level progress review meeting held at Suvarna Soudha.
Belagavi: Calling public service the highest responsibility of the administration, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar instructed government officials to remain accessible to citizens, strengthen accountability, and ensure transparent governance while addressing the Belagavi division-level progress review meeting at Suvarna Soudha.
The Chief Minister said the government was elected by the people and it is now the administration's responsibility to ensure that public services reach every household efficiently.
"The people have brought us to power; now it is our responsibility to deliver the government to the doorsteps of the people," D.K. Shivakumar said.
DK Shivakumar Calls Public Service the Foundation of Good Governance
Addressing senior officers, the Chief Minister stressed that administrative responsibility extends beyond routine office work and requires continuous engagement with the public.
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He said elected representatives seek the people's mandate periodically, whereas government officials are expected to uphold the trust of citizens every day through efficient service delivery.
"Failure to perform official duties is not merely an administrative lapse but a betrayal of the trust reposed by the people," he said.
Strict Warning on Administrative Discipline
The Chief Minister issued a stern warning against indiscipline during official meetings.
He stated that officers found using mobile phones during review meetings would face immediate disciplinary action.
"If any officer is found using a mobile phone during a meeting, suspension proceedings will begin before the meeting concludes. Discipline is the first rule of administration," he warned.
Officials Asked to Spend More Time Among the People
Emphasising the importance of grassroots governance, D.K. Shivakumar directed district and taluk-level officers to remain within their jurisdictions and engage directly with the public.
He said unnecessary movement of citizens from one office to another for routine services must end, and issues should be resolved locally wherever legally possible.
The Chief Minister also instructed senior officials to maintain daily records of field visits made by subordinate officers, including villages visited and grievances resolved.
According to him, field administration remains the true measure of an effective government.
Public Service Department to Strengthen Citizen-Centric Governance
The Chief Minister directed officials to effectively implement the newly established Public Service Department to provide quicker grievance redressal.
He also instructed ministers, legislators and officials to adopt the Janaspandan model across all administrative levels so that public issues are addressed without unnecessary delays.
He said every grievance that can legally be resolved should receive prompt attention from the concerned authorities.
Scientific Urban Development and Planned Growth Prioritised
Highlighting the need for sustainable urban planning, the Chief Minister said cities and towns must expand in a planned and scientific manner.
He instructed officials to prevent unplanned layouts and unauthorised settlements while implementing the government's urban development policies.
According to him, infrastructure planning should take into account the needs of future generations rather than focusing only on immediate development.
Revenue Department's E-Khata Initiative to Expand Across Karnataka
Referring to the Revenue Department's e-Khata initiative, D.K. Shivakumar described the programme as an administrative reform that enables citizens to receive property records without additional expenditure.
He said the initiative, which has gained momentum in Bengaluru, will now be expanded across all districts in Karnataka.
CSR Schools Planned to Improve Rural Education
Announcing new initiatives in the education sector, the Chief Minister said the government plans to establish CSR-supported schools based on the successful KPS school model.
The initiative aims to provide rural students with educational facilities comparable to those available in urban areas.
The government plans to develop 10 to 20 quality schools in every Assembly constituency through collaboration between industries and the state administration.
Focus on Electoral Roll Revision and Voter Rights
Speaking about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, D.K. Shivakumar said voter registration should remain free from political influence.
He instructed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to visit every household at least three times during the revision process to ensure that no eligible voter is excluded.
The government, he said, would provide all necessary documentation support and establish voter assistance centres at the ward level.
Yuva Udyog Setu to Connect Youth With Private Employment
The Chief Minister announced the launch of Yuva Udyog Setu, a programme aimed at improving employment opportunities for students and young job seekers.
The initiative will facilitate stronger connections between educational institutions, youth and private sector employers to improve access to jobs.
10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas to Promote Social Harmony
As part of a statewide social outreach initiative, the government will establish 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas across Karnataka.
Each association will receive a grant of ₹10 lakh to promote constitutional values, social harmony and the ideals of Kannada poet Kuvempu through community engagement programmes.
Statewide Audit of Government Land Announced
The Chief Minister also announced a comprehensive audit of government-owned land across Karnataka.
He said the state must maintain accurate records of every parcel of government land. He added that a major programme to distribute land to landless families would be implemented in the coming months.
Key Directives Issued by the Chief Minister
Among the major instructions issued during the review meeting were:
- Public service must remain the primary responsibility of the administration.
- Officers must remain accountable to citizens every day.
- Strict disciplinary action for indiscipline during official meetings.
- Mandatory presence of officers within their respective districts and taluks.
- Faster local resolution of public grievances.
- Daily monitoring of field-level administrative work.
- Strengthening the Public Service Department.
- Scientific urban planning and prevention of unauthorised layouts.
- Expansion of the Revenue Department's e-Khata initiative statewide.
- Development of CSR-supported schools in every constituency.
- Protection of every eligible citizen's voting rights.
- Mandatory household visits by Booth Level Officers.
- Launch of Yuva Udyog Setu to improve employment opportunities.
- Formation of 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas with financial assistance.
- Comprehensive audit of government land and future housing initiatives for landless families.
"Development, transparency and discipline are the three basic mantras of my government," the Chief Minister said while concluding the review meeting.
