Agriculture and Kodagu District In-charge Minister P.M. Narendra Swamy has urged people to make use of the newly launched Praja Seva Andolan, an initiative aimed at taking government services to people’s doorsteps and addressing their grievances.
He was speaking after launching the Praja Seva Andolan at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan here on Saturday in association with the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat and various government departments.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar launched the Praja Seva Department at Kudligi in Vijayanagara district recently. Following this, similar public service initiatives have been launched in various districts, the Minister said.
Under the programme, public service campaigns will be held on the first and third Saturdays under the leadership of the District In-charge Minister, while the second and fourth Saturdays will see programmes conducted under the leadership of MLAs in their respective taluks or Assembly constituencies.
The objective is to ensure that government schemes and programmes reach the people and that their grievances are addressed at the local level, he said.
“People have elected their representatives. They should not have to go searching for officials or elected representatives. The objective of the public service movement is for elected representatives and officials to go to the people and resolve their problems,” Narendra Swamy said. He said the government machinery must reach the people and respond effectively to their concerns. The Minister said the government was committed to taking inspiration from the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Basavanna and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar while ensuring that governance reached the grassroots.
Ponnanna Questions Administrative Delays
Chief Minister’s Political Secretary and Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna said the government works for the people, but effective solutions can be achieved only when the legislature and executive work together. Â He stressed the importance of the executive machinery functioning according to the expectations of the people.
Referring to a case involving a court order concerning the disposal of family property in accordance with a compromise decision, Ponnannacriticised the failure of the administration to act despite the court’s direction.
He also criticised the handling of human-elephant conflict in the district. He alleged that Forest Department officials were reluctant to admit workers injured in elephant attacks to Apollo Hospital despite an agreement between the Forest Department and the hospital.
Workers injured in elephant attacks must receive prompt medical treatment, he said, questioning the reluctance of officials to use the available medical facility.
Ponnanna also raised the issue of villages in the district that remain without electricity. He questioned why Forest Department officials were preventing the extension of electricity to some villages despite directions to provide the service.
“What will happen to people who have been living in Kodagu for decades?” he asked.
He said public problems could be resolved quickly only when the legislature and executive worked with commitment and honesty.
Housing, Roads and Revenue Issues Need Attention: Mantar Gowda
Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda said several problems in Kodagu had remained unresolved for decades and called for concerted efforts to address them.
He said there were several issues concerning the Revenue and Forest departments that needed to be resolved.
Roads maintained by the Public Works Department and Panchayat Raj institutions also required urgent repairs, particularly potholes, he said.
Dr. Mantar Gowda said providing housing and residential plots to families without proper shelter should be given priority. He also stressed the need to provide housing for residents of line houses and tribal communities.
He said discussions had been held with the Deputy Chief Minister regarding the provision of plots and houses to eligible families in the district. A proposal had been made to provide between 20,000 and 30,000 plots and houses for each Assembly constituency, and Dr. Mantar Gowda called for its implementation.
Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee District President Dharmaja Uthappa, Taluk President Mandrira Mohan Das, District In-charge Secretary Dr. N.V. Prasad, Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekar, Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena, SP R.N. Bindumani, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sahana S. Hadimani, Deputy Divisional Officer Nitin Chakki, Tahsildars, TPEOs and officials from various departments attended the programme.
Following the meeting, Minister Narendra Swamy received petitions from members of the public. More than 67 applications were submitted, including over 17 relating to the Revenue Department and more than five concerning the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Home departments. The remaining petitions related to departments including Municipal Administration, Urban Development and Comprehensive Tribal Welfare.
The Fire Department distributed safety kits, while the Women and Child Development Department distributed Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana cards. Incentive cheques were also distributed to inter-caste married couples.
Before the launch of the Praja Seva Andolan, Minister Narendra Swamy inaugurated an information booth set up by various government departments at Ambedkar Bhavan. A.S. Ponnanna, Dr. Mantar Gowda and other officials were present.
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