SEEKING REDRESSAL: People waiting with their grievances at Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's Janata Darshan programme, at his official residence Krishna, in Bangalore on Saturday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday issued an ultimatum to bureaucrats that they would face disciplinary action if they did not shed their laxity.

"I have issued enough warnings to the officials to work for the people. Now onwards only disciplinary action would follow (if the bureaucrats still remain indifferent)," he told reporters before beginning the Janata Darshan here.

Had the officials sorted out problems at their level, people would not have come to the Janata Darshan in such a large number. "We do not need officials working only for salary. Large presence of people with multiple woes clearly indicates that the officialdom is not working," the Chief Minister said.

He was more particular on the issues of ration card, old age, disability and widow pensions and said such matters should be settled at Tahsildar's level itself. If they reach higher levels, officials right from the Village Accountant to the Assistant Commissioner of the sub-division would be suspended, he said.

Throughout his interaction with the media, the Chief Minister was highly critical of the bureaucracy. He alleged that many officials had become corrupt to the core and it was time to teach them a lesson. "I have issued enough warnings to the bureaucracy. If they do not mend their ways even now, I will not hesitate to initiate stern action." If the bureaucracy had delivered the goods, he would not have taken the trouble of staying in villages and holding Janata Darshan programmes.

The Government will hold a one-day special session of the legislature before March 16 to discuss the final award of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. The date would be finalised after discussion with Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.P. Prakash.

The day-long session would discuss the pros and cons of the award and any future action would depend on the outcome of the session. He did not have any information regarding the Centre itself approaching the Supreme Court seeking a review of the Award. If so, the Government would welcome it, he said.

Council chairman

Specific efforts would be made to clear the uncertainty over the election to the post of Chairman of the Legislative Council during the session, Mr. Kumaraswamy said. On the Congress's criticism of the Government on the matter, he said everyone was aware how much the Congress respected the Constitution when it was in power. "Let them approach any legal fora (on Chairman's election), we are not bothered," he said.

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