CM seeks report from DC on taluk-level officers not stationed in the respective taluk

Cracking the whip against taluk-level officers of Mysuru district, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed the Deputy Commissioner to compile a list of officers residing in district headquarters and send it to him for taking action.

Mr. Siddaramaiah, who presided over a meeting of the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) at Zilla Panchayat premises in Mysuru on Monday, told reporters on Tuesday that he had already instructed the taluk-level officers to be available in their respective offices and attend to the problems of the people by stationing themselves in the taluks itself.

Pointing out that some of them were residing in the district headquarters, the Chief Minister said he had asked the Deputy Commissioner to make a list of such officials and send it him so that necessary action can be taken against them.

He said several people from Mysuru district come looking for him in Bengaluru and wait for him till late in the night to return even if he is not available. “If their issues are resolved in Mysuru itself, if the officers sit in their respective officers, hear the grievances of the public and resolve them, they will not have to travel all the way to Bengaluru to meet me,” he said.

He said most of the grievances of the public coming to Bengaluru to meet him pertain to the Revenue Department. Sternly instructing the officials to resolve the grievances of the public, he said an endorsement should be given if there is a legal hurdle.

The Chief Minister said he had also issued a warning that he will not tolerate the officials, who are making the people wander from one office to another office.

Increase conviction rate

Mr. Siddaramaiah said he had also issued directions to police officials to increase the conviction rate and file the chargesheet within 90 days from the date of registering FIR.

Senior police officials including Superintendent of Police N. Vishnuvardhan and City Commissioner of Police Seema Latkar should visit the place of crime in their respective jurisdictions.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said there was a perceptibly decline in the communal disturbances taking place in Dakshina Kannada district after he replaced the Superintendent of Police and Mangaluru City Commissioner of Police. “When it is possible (to bring down communal disturbances) by the Superintendent of Police and City Commissioner of Police (in Dakshina Kannada), why not in other districts?” questioned the Chief Minister.

Rape case

Referring to the recent rape and murder case of a minor girl in Mysuru city, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the case was a matter of shame to the civilised society.

“If such cases recur, the Commissioner of Police will be held responsible,” he warned.

He said the police officials have also been advised to behave courteously and respectfully with all the people except criminals and rowdy elements.

He said the police have been asked to take all necessary measures to prevent crime including murder, rape, dacoity, theft, chain snatching, etc. He said directions had been specially issued to check the menace of narcotic drugs, which was affecting a large number of youth, particularly students.

“I have asked them to take necessary steps to make Mysuru drug-free,” he said.