CM asks bureaucrats to change for better

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, SEPT. 6. The Chief Minister, Mr. S. M. Krishna, today said the bureaucracy should ``change its mindset' and be responsive to the people, ``otherwise, they (bureaucrats) do not deserve to be in their positions.''

Laying the foundation stone for the Rs. 50-crore Hebbal Flyover here, Mr. Krishna cited the example of how the bureaucrats had failed to put up a file pertaining to the amendments to the Lokayukta Act, aimed at reforming the administration. He said he had asked them to do it in July itself but ``they seem to be waiting for an auspicious time (to do so).''

He said he was not sure whether the Government Order pertaining to the Hebbal Flyover had been issued. ``However, I have asked the Bangalore Development Authority to go ahead without waiting for the order. By the time they issue the order, our Government's term will be over.'' In fact, the authority sent its proposal on the flyover some time ago and it was pending with the Vidhana Soudha, he said.

He likened administration of a State to a ``three- legged race.'' How can we win the race if the bureaucracy ``fails to run along with us?'' He was sorry that repeated efforts to make the bureaucracy responsive had no impact on the ``permanent secretariat.'' This had caused him anguish, he added.

However, he was all praise for the changed work culture in the Bangalore Development Authority, which had resulted in ``remarkable progress'' - be it in the distribution of sites or in issue of absolute sale deeds.

Mr. Jaffer Sharief, MP, joined the Chief Minister in criticising the bureaucracy and asked Mr. Krishna: ``Why do you keep officers who do not help you in achieving your goals?'' He suggested that the Government should keep officers who worked hard in key positions.

He said the Chief Minister had power to have such bureaucrats replaced for improving the administration. He said mere grumbling against the officers would not serve any purpose. There was not much time on hand for the Congress Government to realise its objectives. However, he was glad that the Government had made ``remarkable achievements'' in the last two years.

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Section  : Southern States
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