Date:19/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/19/stories/2006121915570100.htm

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Officials warned against laxity in execution of works

Special Correspondent

The Government is `unhappy' with their style of functioning

ASSESSING PERFORMANCE: Chief Secretary Malati Das, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, and Deputy Chief Minister Yediyurappa at a meeting in Bangalore on Monday. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Monday warned civil servants that the Government would not tolerate any laxity on their part in executing development programmes, issuing ration cards and distributing houses for families living below the poverty line (BPL).

Speaking at a meeting of secretaries to the Government, deputy commissioners of districts and chief executive officers of zilla panchayats here, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the Government was unhappy with their style of functioning and warned them against slackness. "The poor will lose confidence in the Government if you (officials) deny them BPL cards. Don't give reasons, I will not tolerate it," he said, and instructed them to take steps to issue ration cards to eligible beneficiaries soon.

He said welfare programmes such as distribution of ration cards and housing had not been implemented owing to lack cooperation by officials. Serious lapses in the distribution of BPL cards had shown the Government in poor light. He warned the officials that stringent action would be taken against them if they did not mend their ways.

Mr. Yediyurappa said nearly 25 per cent of BPL families were denied ration cards owing to faulty survey. Despite a good fiscal position, only 43 per cent of the budgetary allocations had been utilised. He advised the officials against going on leave in the next three months to ensure total utilisation of budgetary funds. So far, execution of schemes had been tardy. He told them to set timeframe to implement schemes and submit progress reports twice a month to the Finance Department.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said besides spending funds effectively, efforts should be made to create assets for the poor. In many cases, welfare schemes had not percolated down to the needy and he had noticed this during the "Janata Darshan" programme. More powers were vested with deputy commissioners and chief executive officers, and hence, it was their duty to raise the performance level to at least 90 per cent, he said.

Nearly 24 lakh BPL families were houseless in the State. The Government had decided to construct three lakh houses before March 31, 2007, he said.

With sound fiscal position, a decision had been taken to build three lakh more houses. Despite the Government earmarking budgetary allocation to honour its promise of building houses, it had not taken off, he said.