207 Complaints Pending from Kodagu; 80 Cases Taken Up for Hearing
Deputy Lokayukta Justice K.N. Phanindra has stressed the need for government officials to discharge their duties with integrity, efficiency and accountability, stating that public services must be delivered promptly and in accordance with the law.
He was addressing district and taluk-level officials, complainants and respondents during a complaint hearing and case disposal programme held at the Zilla Panchayat Hall in Madikeri.
Justice Phanindra said that 207 complaints are currently pending before the Lokayukta from Kodagu district, of which 80 cases have been selected for hearing after examining the submissions of the complainants and obtaining responses from the concerned officials.
Emphasising the responsibility of public servants, he said government officials must perform their duties strictly within the framework of law and work collectively for the development of society and the nation. “Every individual born in society has the right to lead a dignified life. It is the responsibility of the administration to ensure that people receive the essential facilities required for a decent standard of living,” he said.
Justice Phanindra observed that every citizen should have access to basic amenities necessary for a normal life. Referring to maternal and child welfare, he said that although no one can foresee the future of an unborn child, protecting the health and well-being of both mother and child remains a fundamental responsibility of the Government. He expressed concern that delays in delivering government services continue to inconvenience ordinary citizens. Officials, he said, should strive to build public confidence in government institutions by understanding people’s grievances and addressing them effectively.
The Deputy Lokayukta cautioned officials against violating the law or neglecting their duties, stating that dereliction of duty would not be tolerated.He stressed that all official work should be completed in a timely and appropriate manner and directed officials to avoid unnecessary delays in administrative processes.
Justice Phanindra further stated that salaries and other legitimate payments should be released on time and that all government benefits and welfare schemes should reach eligible beneficiaries without delay. “There should be no lethargy in the functioning of government offices,” he said, warning officials against administrative inefficiency and poor governance. He also advised government servants to maintain high standards of integrity and professionalism, stating that public officials should perform their duties honestly and avoid actions that could bring disrepute to the administration.Pointing out that government officials are the primary interface between the administration and the public, Justice Phanindra said they have a responsibility to deliver services efficiently at the grassroots level. He emphasised that every citizen should receive equal treatment under the law and that the rights and responsibilities of the public must be protected. Preventing corruption, he added, should remain one of the foremost priorities of every public servant.
Justice Phanindra also informed the gathering that the District Legal Services Authority provides free legal aid to families with an annual income of less than Rs. 3 lakh, and urged eligible citizens to avail themselves of the facility. During the hearing, complaints relating to land disputes, building plan approvals, electricity connections, bus connectivity and various other public grievances were taken up for consideration.
Deputy Lokayukta’s Private Secretary and Civil Judge Kiran Patil, Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekhar, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Anand Prakash Meena, Superintendent of Police R.N. Bindumani, Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhishek, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. Sahana S. Hadimani, Lokayukta SP Udesh, District Legal Services Authority Member Secretary Shubha, Assistant Commissioner Nitin Chakki, Kodagu Lokayukta DySP Dinakar Shetty, Tahsildar Sridhar, Urban Development Project Director Manjunath Ramanna, Municipal Commissioner H.R. Ramesh, Environment Officer Maheshwari Singh and other officials were present.
