Karnataka - Bangalore

Improve image of department, Shettar tells revenue officials

Special Correspondent

Reforms to be introduced in department to bring in efficiency in administration

Jagadish Shettar

BANGALORE: Getting down to business a day after assuming office, Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar directed officials of the department to alter their style of functioning and take steps to change the image of the department.

Mr. Shettar held a review meeting of senior officials of the department and set the task of making the department "people friendly."

Corruption in issuing caste and income certificates and registration of lands at the offices of Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner and tahsildar would be checked and reforms would be ushered in to bring in efficiency and transparency in administration, the Minister said.

Public anger

Officials of the department had not been responding to the grievances of the people in taluks and districts.

There was public anger against officials for seeking bribes for issuing caste and income certificates.

There was need to revamp the entire system of functioning to improve the image of the department, he said.

"The Government's image depends on that of the Revenue Department. Reforms will be introduced to give a new look to the department and early disposal of land registration cases," he said.

Steps would be taken to spread initiatives of e-governance at the local level, the Ministe said.

Meetings

He would hold meetings at the district level to gather information about the survey of agricultural lands, availability of staff, and problems faced by village assistants, Mr. Shettar said.

On filling posts of tahsildar, he said a decision would be taken soon.

Asked about a Common Minimum Programme (CMP), he said it would be ready by February 24.

A coordination committee to oversee the implementation of the CMP would be constituted by the end of this month, the Minister said.

Revenue Secretary S.M. Jamdhar was present.

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