Karnataka CM warns of strict action against officials negligent in drought management
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has warned that strict action will be taken against officials found negligent in managing the prevailing drought situation in Karnataka, asserting that his government will not tolerate indifference in public service.
Addressing the Kalaburagi Divisional-level Progress Review Meeting at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium in the Gulbarga University campus on July 7, the first such review meeting held in north Karnataka after he assumed office, Mr. Shivakumar said the government’s foremost objective is to deliver transparent, people-centric and inclusive governance while ensuring that even the last person in society receives constitutional and civic entitlements.
“Officials must work with commitment, accountability and a people-friendly approach. I will not tolerate officers who fail to serve the public sincerely,” he said.
Referring to his visit to Basavakalyana before arriving in Kalaburagi, the Chief Minister said he had deliberately begun his first tour of north Karnataka from the land of Basavanna because he firmly believed in the Basava philosophy of equality.
“Equality, social justice and development must move forward together,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to the people of Bidar and Kalaburagi districts for the support and confidence they had reposed in the government, Mr. Shivakumar said the people’s trust had increased the responsibility of those in office.
“It is our duty to live up to the expectations of the people who have placed us in these positions,” he said.
Drawing on his own administrative journey, the Chief Minister said he had risen through every level of public administration, from serving as a taluk panchayat president to becoming the Chief Minister, and therefore understood how the administrative machinery functioned at every stage.
“I know what happens at every level of the administration. I am not prepared to listen to excuses when it comes to development. What matters to me is results,” he told officials.
He cautioned that while efficient officers would earn the gratitude of the people, those who failed to discharge their responsibilities in a people-oriented manner would face disciplinary action.
On the ongoing revision of electoral rolls, Mr. Shivakumar directed officials to ensure that no eligible voter was deprived of the right to vote.
“This is not about politics. It is the government’s responsibility to protect every citizen’s voting right. Booth Level Officers should visit every household at least three times to ensure that the names of all eligible voters are included in the electoral rolls. There can be no compromise on this,” he said.
Speaking on water management and long-term development, the Chief Minister said concerns over deficient rainfall were being expressed across the country, but Karnataka’s overall situation remains manageable.
He said the State had initiated high-level discussions with the Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, besides Union Ministers, to evolve a permanent solution to inter-State water-sharing issues. The Centre, he added, had responded positively to a proposal for an ambitious river-linking project connecting the Krishna, Cauvery and Godavari river systems at an estimated cost of ₹1 lakh crore.
Mr. Shivakumar assured that all development projects initiated by the previous Siddaramaiah-led government would continue without interruption. ‘The present government,” he said, “would accelerate development while placing greater emphasis on transparency, efficiency and a citizen-centric approach in governance.”
