BANGALORE: Deputy commissioners, CEOs of panchayat bodies and top officials of all the departments had to sweat it out on Monday at a marathon 10-hour meeting with the chief minister in Vidhana Soudha.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who recently cracked the whip on BBMP officials and principal secretaries of various departments, did not even provide a tea break for the babus. The meeting went on from 10 am to 8.30 pm, and the babus were allowed to leave the Conference Hall for only a 45-minute lunch break. Tea and snacks were served in the evening even as the CM continued to bombard the officials with questions on the progress of welfare schemes.
The CM had called the meeting as part of his plan to fulfil the promise of taking the administration to the poor man’s door steps. “You should function with honesty and discipline to avoid stringent action. Introspect at least once a week about your work,” he told the officials. He said people keep coming to his Janata Darshan programme from far-off places, spending money and time to get their grievances redressed.
“But most of these grievances should have been addressed at the district and taluk levels. Is this not a reflection of the district administration’s failure? Is it not possible to redress their grievances promptly if the officials at the district level work honestly?” he asked.
Sand Mining and Flood Relief
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Siddaramaiah said an additional grant of `100 crore was announced for flood relief works. The state has submitted a report on the flood to the Union government and a team from the Centre is set to visit the state in two days.
He said the DCs have been directed to stop illegal sand mining in the state and assured that action would be taken to ensure adequate availability of sand.
He warned of action against those who indulge in diversion of rice meant for Anna Bhagya scheme. Goonda Control Act would be invoked against the violators.