Karnataka Lokayukta calls for improvement in administrative functioning

Karnataka Lokayukta B.S. Patil speaking at a district-level meeting in Koppal on Friday.

Karnataka Lokayukta B.S. Patil has called upon government officials to improve their administrative functioning, develop a problem-solving approach and ensure that government welfare schemes reach eligible beneficiaries effectively.

Chairing a meeting with district-level officers at the J.H. Patel Hall in the Zilla Panchayat in Koppal on Friday, Mr. Patil said the government had introduced several schemes for the welfare of the common people and allocated substantial funds for their implementation. It was the responsibility of every government official to ensure that these schemes and funds reached the intended beneficiaries in an efficient and honest manner, he said.

Warning officials against corruption, he said strict disciplinary action would be taken without any leniency if any officer or staff member was found indulging in corrupt practices.

“Although the government provided its employees with several facilities and sufficient opportunities to lead a decent life, some officials were reportedly resorting to corruption out of greed. Such conduct would not be tolerated,” he cautioned.

Mr. Patil said that a people-oriented approach and administrative efficiency at the district level could make a significant contribution to the overall development of the State. Proper utilisation of government funds and their honest delivery to eligible beneficiaries would help improve people’s standard of living, he said.

Pointing to the duties and responsibilities assigned to every government employee and the supervisory officers appointed to monitor their performance, Mr. Patil said the delivery of government services was not always smooth. “If a person had to visit a government office repeatedly for the same work, it indicated that the system was not functioning properly. Officials should discharge their duties honestly and conscientiously, keeping in mind the values instilled in them by their parents and the principles on which they had been brought up,” he said.

Holding that government employees could truly become public servants only by performing their duties honestly and in accordance with the law, Mr. Patil said that such honest performance would give real meaning to the principle that government service is service to God. “Every person working in public service should be familiar with the provisions of the Lokayukta Act, as any violation, whether minor or serious, would attract punishment under the law,” he warned.

Referring to hostels and residential schools functioning under the Social Welfare and Backward Classes Welfare departments, he instructed the officials not to admit students beyond their sanctioned capacity, as overcrowding would lead to a shortage of basic amenities and adversely affect their academic progress. He directed the authorities to shift students from overcrowded hostels to rented buildings and ensure that they were provided with the necessary infrastructure. “Cleanliness and discipline should also be given priority in all hostels and residential schools,” he said.

Lokayukta secretary Srinath, additional registrar Krishnayya, Deputy Commissioner Suresh B. Itnal, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Varnit Negi, Superintendent of Police Sahil Bagla, Raichur Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Siddaraju and other officials were present at the meeting.