Karnataka will set up separate secretariats for public grievances and non-resident Indians (NRIs), Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday announced.
“A separate secretariat will be set up to redress public grievances, and a minister will be appointed to hear people coming to Bengaluru from across the state with complaints, demands or issues, including those organizing protests or agitations. There is a need for such a separate secretariat,” he said.
The announcement came a day after Shivakumar assumed office, and after a meeting with senior bureaucrats, police officers and district directors. Besides the two new bodies, the government ordered a review of beneficiaries of welfare programmes, outlined plans to channel CSR funds towards schools, and directed officials to prepare departmental action plans within weeks.
The Prime Minister said that the scale of the demonstrations and delegations that arrived in the state capital indicated the need for a more organized system. “Every day, two or three groups come here to protest. Someone should meet them and understand their problems. It is important to determine whether their demands are legal or illegal. Officials should meet them, hear the facts, and understand their issues. Therefore, a decision was taken to set up a separate secretariat,” he said.
The government also intends to set up a separate secretariat for non-resident Indians to assist foreign investors and members of the global Kannada community. Shivakumar said Karnataka requires a dedicated platform to facilitate investment, provide assistance and address procedural issues faced by non-resident Indians. “We want a dedicated system to facilitate non-resident Indian investments, provide assistance, and create the necessary legal framework. Officials are preparing a proposal for this purpose,” he said.
The proposed authority will act as a single point of contact for foreign investors seeking to do business in Karnataka.
The Prime Minister also announced a review of the state’s use of CSR funds. According to Shivakumar, approx $Rs 8,000 crore is available annually through CSR commitments, but the government lacks complete information on how the money is being spent.
Provincial administrations have been instructed to identify industries operating within their jurisdictions, identify profitable companies and monitor the deployment of mandatory CSR expenditures. A new CSR policy has already received Cabinet approval, and detailed guidelines are expected to be issued soon.
Besides the policy announcements, Shivakumar delivered a message to senior officials on administrative conduct and accountability. He instructed the officers not to succumb to pressure from politicians, caste organisations, religious groups, influential individuals or even the Prime Minister’s Office.
“I have asked officials not to yield to any pressure, whether from ministers, from executives, or even from my office. They must work within the law and maintain a positive approach. Wherever there is a problem, they must find a solution within the system. This is my message,” he said.
Officials have been asked to prepare departmental action plans within 15 days and submit reports on pending works and potential new initiatives within 25 days. “We want to provide an open, transparent and corruption-free government,” Shivakumar said.
Regarding election administration, Shivakumar directed the district secretaries in-charge to monitor the ongoing Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls and ensure that eligible voters are not disqualified due to administrative errors. Officials have been instructed to create awareness about the process and help citizens obtain the documents required for verification. “Local bodies have the authority to issue residence certificates. Since these certificates are necessary for SIR, people should be helped in obtaining them and other required documents,” he said.
The government is simultaneously reviewing the data of beneficiaries under the Gruha Jyothi and Gruha Lakshmi welfare schemes. Shivakumar said the aim of the exercise was to identify violations rather than to review the programs themselves.
Under Gruha Jyothi, which provides free electricity to up to 200 units, authorities have identified cases involving alleged commercial use of home connections, multiple meters linked to the same beneficiary, and other irregularities. “There are 1.64 crore beneficiaries under the scheme and the government has no problem if eligible citizens get the benefit,” he said.
The chief minister said officials were also examining cases under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme in which benefits allegedly continued to be transferred after the death of eligible beneficiaries. According to Shivakumar, the total payments made to ineligible beneficiaries are approx $120 Crores.
