The Karnataka government has announced the formation of a new Prajaseva Department aimed at expediting the resolution of public grievances. This initiative was disclosed by D K Shivakumar during a press briefing in Bengaluru following the second cabinet meeting of his administration. The department will be overseen by a designated minister who will be responsible for addressing public concerns effectively.

Shivakumar stressed the importance of connecting with citizens, stating that the government must acknowledge and respond to the issues that people face. The establishment of this department signifies a systematic approach to managing complaints and ensuring that adequate responses are provided within a stipulated timeframe. The department’s personnel will be tasked with examining petitions and facilitating communication between the administration and the public.

As part of this initiative, district ministers will be mandated to hold regular interactions and grievance meetings across all Assembly constituencies, ensuring a direct line of communication with residents.

Grievance-Redressal System and Responsibilities

The new grievance-monitoring structure will be led by a senior officer from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Petitions submitted to ministers, including those directly received by the Chief Minister, will be processed through the Prajaseva Department for review. Alongside the establishment of the new department, district ministers are required to conduct weekly public interaction sessions at the taluk level, in collaboration with local legislators.

Shivakumar mentioned that this initiative is designed to strengthen local governance and enhance public engagement. He noted that the department would play a vital role in swiftly addressing grievances, thus fostering a more responsive and accountable administration.

Every one of the 224 Assembly constituencies will have district ministers visiting different taluks each week, facilitating grievance-redressal meetings under the auspices of the new department. This strategy is expected to create a robust framework for citizens to voice their concerns and receive timely support from government officials.

Provision of Permanent Electricity Connections

In addition to the establishment of the Prajaseva Department, the cabinet also approved a new provision regarding electricity connections. D K Shivakumar announced that residents living in buildings completed before 31 May 2000 will have a 15-day window to apply for permanent electricity connections after the Government Order is issued. This decision aims to address requests from residents affected by various restrictions that previously limited their access to permanent energy supplies.

Applicants must submit photographic evidence and GPS coordinates related to their existing structures as part of the application process. It is important to note that this provision is strictly for buildings completed before the stipulated date and does not extend to new constructions. The Government Order will outline detailed guidelines to ensure clarity and facilitate the implementation of this decision by local authorities.

Shivakumar highlighted that the relaxation of these conditions is designed to benefit eligible residents who have been living with temporary connections for some time. By offering this limited window, the government aims to streamline the transition to permanent connections for those who qualify.

In conclusion, the cabinet approved two significant measures: the formation of the Prajaseva Department to handle public grievances and the introduction of a limited opportunity for eligible residents to secure permanent electricity connections. These initiatives collectively aim to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of the state’s administrative processes.

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