*CM D.K. Shivakumar Instructs Officials on Corruption-Free Karnataka*
Protect Voting Rights under SIR
Instruction to Build Ring Road Grids In All Taluks
Precautionary Measures For Deficit Monsoon
Youth Era through the Bharat Jodo Youth Associations
Measures to Curb Fake Finance Schemes, Rowdies, and Drugs Network
Framing of a CSR Policy for Quality Education in Government Schools in Rural Areas
PM Modi’s Words of Advice on the Bidadi Township
Pragativahini News Bengaluru :
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar today instructed officials on various key matters including building corruption-free Karnataka, protecting voting rights under SIR, construction of ring-road grids in all taluks, precautionary measures for deficit monsoon, establishing a ‘Youth Era’, curbing ponzi finance schemes, eliminating rowdies and the drugs network, and framing a CSR policy for rural education.
After holding a 7-hour-long marathon meeting with Deputy Commissioners, SPs, CEOs, DFOs, and senior government officials at Vidhana Soudha, the CM held a press conference and briefed on the meeting.
“I have appealed to officials to work as Team Karnataka. I have instructed officials to respond positively to people who come with problems and to resolve their issues. All government employees must report to office by 10 am. We have instructed that intimation of attendance must be sent to the Chief Secretary as soon as officials get the biometric report at district offices. From village accountants, revenue officers and PDOs to officials of any department all the way up to the Deputy Commissioners, everyone must compulsorily be present at their head office. Their address and phone number should be available on the websites,” he said.
Building a Corruption-Free Karnataka
“Building a corruption-free Karnataka is the goal of our government. No one should pay even 10 rupees as a bribe at any taluk or district official’s office. I have told officials not to give into demands of politicians. I am not saying I will change everything all at once, but we will do it. Do not allow any work that gives our government a bad name. In the matter of officials’ transfers, we follow social justice,” he said.
Ring Road Grids In All Taluks
“To make traffic planning easier, a plan must be drawn up right now to build ring roads in all taluks. The DCs have been informed to draw up a grid right away even if ring roads are not built immediately,” he said.
Distribution of Uniforms, Shoes, and Textbooks to Children within A Month
“Since the academic year has begun, all children must be brought to school. We have information on how many schools have zero attendance, and a decision will be taken on this at the next Cabinet meeting. Students’ uniforms, shoes, and textbooks must be distributed within the next one month. There are 964 schools with zero enrolment. There are 3,542 schools with 1–5 children enrolled, and 12,696 schools with 6–20 students enrolled. We have information that there are 4,997 schools with 21–30 children enrolled,” he said.
Precautionary Measures in View of the Rainfall Deficit
“The monsoon is beginning and sowing work is starting. Steps must be taken to ensure the availability of seeds and fertilizer. There is a possibility of El Niño this year, and there is a forecast of deficit rainfall. Measures must be taken to manage this,” he said.
Measures to Curb Ponzi Finance Schemes, Rowdies, and Drugs Network
“Although the government has introduced a bill to curb ponzi finance schemes, such cases keep coming to light. The SPs and Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to use their intelligence to rein in such schemes. The government has decided to clamp down on ganja and drugs cases. Our police officers are doing an excellent job, and they have been instructed to take stringent action against drug peddlers,” he explained.
“It has been instructed to form a team of five police personnel at every police station to curb rowdies. I have directed that the necessary steps be taken to prevent cybercrime. MLAs must hold public-contact meetings at the panchayat and hobli level. The necessary financial arrangements for that will be made. This will enable this people-friendly government to go to the people,” he said.
Awareness for Protecting Voting Rights under the SIR
“Since the SIR is starting, the district in-charge ministers and Deputy Commissioners must go to every taluk, give guidance to the BLOs, stay in contact with the BLAs of all parties, and protect people’s voting rights. It is important to protect the voting rights,” he said.
“If you do not have a voting right, the government’s five guarantees, the government’s pension, and other benefits will not reach you. I have instructed that guidance on the SIR be given at every panchayat and booth level,” he said.
Re-application for the Guarantee Schemes
“A government order has already been issued to distribute free bus passes to all students, and the process has begun. It has come to the government’s attention that some beneficiaries of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme have died and others have drawn more than 100 crore rupees in their name. Hence the government is planning to verify whether the scheme is reaching eligible beneficiaries or not. All beneficiaries will need to re-apply. We are not stopping this scheme. The government has no intention of removing anyone. The government’s aim is that the scheme should reach eligible beneficiaries who provide correct information. In the Gruha Lakshmi scheme too there are 1.64 lakh beneficiaries and they must apply again. We need to verify whether this scheme is reaching people of our state, or people of other states. We will need to issue identity cards to beneficiaries. The application will be made available within a few days,” he said.
Framing of a Policy to Use CSR Funds for Rural Education
“We are bringing in a new CSR policy. It has been decided to use these funds to build schools in rural areas. It has been decided to provide the infrastructure needed for quality education in villages. Private schools should adopt these rural schools. The education available in urban areas should be made available in government schools,” he said.
Building a ‘Youth Era’
“For the first time in the country, a private-sector employment exchange programme is being organised in our state. Those seeking jobs in the private sector should register here. Local people will be given higher priority here. We can’t tell companies to take 100% locals only. For this, a specific quota will be fixed. A bridge will be built to provide employment to local youth. Through this, we are beginning a ‘Youth Era’,” he said.
“Further, we are moving to build my dream programme – the Bharat Jodo Youth Associations. There are 6,000 gram panchayats in the state and 4,000 urban-area wards. This programme has been designed to provide a platform for youth camaraderie. These are non-political associations, and those from 16 years up to 35 or 40 years can become members. The age limit will be decided shortly. Opportunities will be provided to enhance talent in sports, culture, and leadership. A guideline will be issued shortly for forming these associations without political interference. Each association will be given an annual grant of 10 lakh rupees,” he said.
Question and Answer
When asked who would supervise the measures to control corruption, he said: “It needs to be fixed from the grassroots level. We will work from the village right up to the Vidhana Soudha.”
When asked by what percentage would he control commissions as there are percentage rate cards, he said: “There will be no percentage — we will bring it to zero.”
When asked about ponzi finance schemes, he said: “I have instructed officials to give a report on this matter. After the report comes, action can be taken against whoever is operating illegally. We will verify whether they are operating within that scope or not. We will also create awareness about this among the public.”
When asked about fertilizer not being supplied, he said: “We have discussed this matter, and we will create awareness about this among farmers. The Prime Minister has spoken about this matter. We have held a meeting about it. We are putting pressure on the Centre. They are citing the war as the reason for fertilizer shortage,” he said.
When asked about re-applying for the guarantee schemes, he said: “We need to know whether the person benefiting from this scheme is truly the lady of the house, don’t we? One lady of the house must be selected per household. Where there are two or three ‘ladies of the house’ in a single home, we will verify that.”
PM Modi’s Words of Advice on the Bidadi Township
When asked about Kumaraswamy having warned that he would wage a legal battle over the Bidadi Township matter, he said: “I wish him well. This township is happening under Kumaraswamy’s own guidance. When I met the Prime Minister yesterday, he told me, ‘I too had built seven or eight townships. You are doing good work; you are reducing the pressure on Bengaluru’. We will accordingly.”
When asked about the NITI Aayog meeting, he said: “I conveyed our views, and they responded to our views. The leaders of our state who were present in the meting can vouch for the PM accepted our views. Leaders who criticise us were also present there — ask them.”
When told that he had praised the guarantee schemes at the NITI Aayog and was now revising them, he said: “They are the ones who criticised our guarantee schemes. Later, they copied our very own guarantee schemes in other states.”
