Bengaluru, June 4: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday outlined an ambitious governance roadmap for Karnataka, directing senior bureaucrats to ensure people-centric administration, strengthen rural development, improve education, create employment opportunities and enhance law and order across the state.
Chairing a high-level meeting of Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries at Vidhana Soudha, the Chief Minister stressed that government officials working at the grassroots level are the face of the administration and play a crucial role in building public trust.
“Only when all of us work as one team can we deliver truly people-oriented governance,” Shivakumar said.
Officials Must Stay at Headquarters
The Chief Minister directed all government officers and staff to reside at their designated headquarters and remain accessible to the public. He instructed the Chief Secretary to submit a report on measures to ensure strict compliance.
He also emphasized punctuality, stating that every officer and employee must be present in office by 10 a.m. and remain available to address public grievances.
No Illegal Decisions Under Pressure
Calling Karnataka’s bureaucracy among the best in the country, Shivakumar urged officials to work honestly and strictly within the framework of law.
He advised officers not to succumb to political or external pressure and refrain from supporting any illegal activity.
“If there is no legal provision for a particular request, officers should directly inform me and the concerned minister. At the same time, they must adopt a positive approach to find lawful solutions to public problems,” he said.
Administration Must Reach People’s Doorsteps
The Chief Minister directed senior officials to regularly visit taluks, hear public grievances and ensure timely resolution of issues.
Reports on these visits must be submitted directly to his office.
He also announced that ministers would undertake regular taluk-level visits to interact directly with citizens and address their concerns.
Focus on Rural Economy
Expressing concern over increasing migration from villages to cities, Shivakumar said strengthening the rural economy would be one of the government’s top priorities.
He instructed departments to ensure effective implementation of all budget announcements and development programmes.
Major Push for Education Reforms
The Chief Minister highlighted the shortage of nearly 50,000 teachers in Karnataka and said recruitment would be carried out in phases.
He also called for effective utilisation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to bring transformational reforms to the education sector.
Bengaluru Must Lead by Example
Referring to Bengaluru’s global standing, Shivakumar noted that the city is home to nearly 2.6 million IT professionals and Karnataka has around 70 medical colleges.
“The world looks towards Bengaluru in many sectors. Every official must introspect on their contribution to the city’s growth and development,” he said.
Free Bus Pass for All Students
The Chief Minister reiterated the cabinet’s decision to extend free bus pass facilities to all students, expanding a benefit that was previously limited to girl students.
He directed departments to immediately begin preparations for smooth implementation of the scheme.
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