Bengaluru, June 20 (IANS). Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday announced that the state government will create a new ‘Praja Seva Department’ to address public grievances and problems related to civic issues and mass movements.
Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting at Vidhan Soudha, Shivkumar said that the responsibility of this new department will be handed over to a different minister. Its objective is to resolve the concerns of the citizens in a timely manner while remaining within the legal framework.
He said, “The aim of our government is to understand the problems of the people and take action on them within the ambit of law. A senior IAS officer will be appointed to oversee the department, investigate complaints and provide necessary information. The aim of this initiative is to provide justice to the citizens.”
The government is also considering bringing the petitions submitted to the Chief Minister and other ministers under the purview of this new department.
District in-charge ministers will have to hold meetings with local MLAs in their respective districts every week on public grievances and the issues raised will be reviewed from time to time.
The Cabinet approved giving exemption to all buildings constructed before May 31 to get electricity connections. Building owners will have to apply for connection by submitting photographs of the building along with GPS records within 15 days from the date of the government order.
Shivakumar said structures built in rural areas, such as sericulture sheds and cattle sheds, would also be exempted. However, newly constructed buildings will not be eligible for this exemption.
The Cabinet approved construction of a 200-bed super-specialty hospital at the campus of Yadgir Institute of Medical Sciences at a cost of approximately Rs 100 crore.
Administrative approval was also given for six civil work projects at Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences at a cost of Rs 18 crore and purchase of medical equipment worth about Rs 60 crore for Bengaluru Medical Research Institute Hospital.
The state government approved the purchase of 620 new buses at a cost of Rs 235 crore. An additional Rs 112 crore will be spent on building electric bus depots at 11 places under various state transport corporations. The cabinet also approved Rs 30 crore to construct a modern bus stand at Sandur taluk headquarters.
Of the 620 buses, 400 buses will be operated in rural areas, while 220 buses will be given to the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC).
The Cabinet approved Rs 80 crore for construction of Karnataka Bhawan-IV in New Delhi through Karnataka Bhawan Welfare Board to help students preparing for UPSC and other competitive examinations.
–IANS
ASH/ABM