Karnataka launches Praja Seva to deliver doorstep administration
Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar launched Praja Seva, a doorstep administration initiative with time-bound grievance redressal, across all 224 Assembly constituencies.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday launched the Praja Seva Department, a new initiative designed to bring government services directly to citizens and ensure time-bound resolution of their grievances. The launch took place in Kudligi, Vijayanagara district, with simultaneous programmes held across the state, led by district in-charge ministers.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Shivakumar said the era of citizens being forced to visit multiple government offices for routine work must end. He stressed that the administration should proactively reach out to people and address their problems at their doorsteps. After the launch, he held a live interaction with district ministers to review the rollout and also spoke directly with citizens who had come forward with their complaints.
Under the programme, which will cover all 224 Assembly constituencies, elected representatives and officials will be available to the public on the first and third Saturdays of every month. Ministers will lead sessions at taluk and hobli levels, while MLAs will head the initiative at gram panchayat levels. In the absence of an MLA, officials have been directed to visit panchayat headquarters personally, receive grievances, and work towards their resolution.
The Chief Minister cautioned that merely collecting applications would not count as success. The true measure of the programme, he said, would be when applicants receive concrete solutions and are satisfied. The initiative will address issues related to pensions, land disputes, government benefits, khata transfers, guarantee schemes, and housing, among others.
Mr. Shivakumar also announced free legal assistance for poor and disadvantaged citizens involved in disputes before tahsildars, Assistant Commissioners, or Deputy Commissioners. Applicants whose requests are rejected will be informed of the reasons, and the government will stand by them until the matter is fully resolved.
Addressing the prevailing drought situation, the Chief Minister said a decision on declaring more drought-affected taluks would be taken soon after receiving the second-stage survey report, with assessments currently underway in over 50 taluks. He also outlined plans to establish Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas in villages to nurture cultural, sports, and leadership skills among youth, and to form guarantee scheme committees at every panchayat.