Yogesh K Porwar
*Officer Suspended for Negligence in Maintenance of Records.
*Delay in Public Services and Negligence in Record Management Will Not Be Tolerated: DyCM Warns.
*Action as Per Law Against Encroachers of Government Gomal Land, Regardless of Influence.
*Strict Action if Fake Land Records or Illegal Khata Transfers Are Detected.
*New Building for Sub-Registrar Office in Devanahalli; Priority to Safety of Original Records.
*Four Taluks of Bengaluru Rural District Drought-Affected; Adequate Funds Available for Drinking Water and Relief Works.
Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister Dr.G. Parameshwara said that public work at taluk offices must be completed without unnecessary delay and that negligence in the maintenance of revenue records, disposal of land-related applications or delivery of public services would not be tolerated. 
The Government’s objective is to provide simple and accessible administration to the public,and strict action will be taken against officials found guilty of dereliction of duty,he said.
Dr.Parameshwara was speaking to reporters after making a surprise visit to the Devanahalli Tahsildar Office today and inspecting the functioning of different sections,disposal of public applications, maintenance of revenue records and services being provided to citizens.
He said the purpose of the surprise visit was to personally understand the problems people face when they come to the taluk office,how officials respond to them and the stage at which their applications are pending.
Officer Suspended for Negligence in Record Management :
Dr.Parameshwara said he inspected all sections of the Devanahalli Tahsildar Office and found certain deficiencies,for which the concerned officials were instructed to take corrective action.
In particular, improper maintenance of revenue records and negligence in data management in the record room came to his notice.The concerned official was suspended for failure to discharge duties properly.
Revenue records are extremely important documents connected with the property and legal rights of citizens.
Even if a single original document is damaged, it can cause serious hardship to the concerned family.
The Revenue Department also holds original records dating back to the pre-Independence period,and these must be preserved with utmost care,he said.
The Tahsildar and officials of the Land Records Department were directed to ensure systematic maintenance,safety, preservation and proper data management of all records in the record room.
Steps to Expedite Disposal of Bagair Hukum Applications and Phodi-Durasti Cases:
Dr. Parameshwara said members of the public had brought to his attention problems relating to disposal of applications concerning Bagair Hukum lands.
In particular, grievances were raised that some applications had either been rejected or remained unresolved because of the 18-kilometre radius rule.
The Government will discuss at the appropriate level whether applications submitted before the 18-kilometre rule came into force can be considered, and necessary directions will be issued, he said.
Applications submitted after the rule came into effect, including Forms 52 and 53 relating to Bagair Hukum lands, will also be examined. Where courts have issued directions, decisions will be taken in accordance with law after considering those orders, he said.
He also noted delays in phodi and durasti works and said officials had been instructed to dispose of pending cases at the earliest.
Cases pending before courts must be handled separately and action should be taken in accordance with judicial orders and directions.Where necessary, the Government may consider filing appeals.
The Tahsildar and Deputy Commissioner have been instructed to ensure that citizens are not unnecessarily inconvenienced merely because a matter is pending before a court, he said.
Over 300 Applications Under Prajaseve; Around 60–70% Disposed:
The Deputy CM said that the Government is implementing the Prajaseve programme to resolve public grievances,and the applications received under the programme in Devanahalli taluk and their disposal status were also reviewed.
More than 300 applications have been received under Prajaseve,of which around 60% to 70% have been disposed of. Some cases that could not yet be resolved remain pending, and their complete records have been obtained for review.
When members of the public approach Revenue Department offices for phodi-durasti, Bagair Hukum, khata transfer or any other service, their applications must be properly examined and disposed of quickly.
Dr. Parameshwara warned that giving priority to influential or financially well-off persons while making ordinary citizens run from office to office would not be tolerated.
If such discrimination or dereliction of duty comes to notice, immediate action will be taken against the concerned officials.
At the same time, citizens must submit applications with proper documents. Attempts to seek illegal khata transfers relating to another person’s land or applications based on false documents will not be allowed,he said.
Strict Action Against Fake Land Records and Encroachment of Government Gomal Land:
Responding to questions from reporters about allegations of creation of fake records, applications being made in another person’s name and illegal khata transfers with the involvement of some officials in Bengaluru Rural district, Dr. Parameshwara said such incidents may have occurred in the past.
However, all necessary steps will be taken to prevent fake documentation, impersonation and illegal khata transfers now and in the future.
The matter has been discussed with the Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner and Tahsildar.
Technology offers greater scope to prevent such irregularities, and officials have been instructed to ensure that fake documents are not created.
Pending suspicious cases will be examined and action will be taken wherever irregularities are found, he said.
Complaints have also been received that influential persons, including builders, have encroached upon Government gomal lands.
Such issues are not limited to areas around Bengaluru but are also being reported in growing urban regions including Tumakuru, Mysuru and Belagavi, he said.
Dr. Parameshwara made it clear that those who have encroached upon Government land must be removed in accordance with law, irrespective of how influential they may be.
If specific cases of encroachment are brought to notice, they will be examined and action taken.
Officials who illegally allow Government land to be alienated or assist encroachers will also face action, he warned.
Responding to a question regarding amendments to Sections 79A and 79B of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, he said the matter is currently under discussion within the Government and deliberations are underway on what changes should be introduced.
New Building for Devanahalli Sub-Registrar Office; Priority to Protection of Original Records:
Dr.Parameshwara said he had inspected the shortage of space at the Devanahalli Sub-Registrar Office.The existing building does not have adequate space, making it difficult to properly maintain records.
The Deputy Commissioner has already identified suitable land for construction of a new building,and steps will be taken to begin construction at the earliest, he said.
He stressed that the safety of original documents relating to citizens’ property rights is far more important than the Sub-Registrar’s chamber or other office facilities.
The new building must have proper arrangements for systematic storage and maintenance of records. Greater priority will be given to safeguarding records of both the Revenue and Registration Departments, he said.
Four Taluks of Bengaluru Rural District Declared Drought-Affected;Necessary Funds for Drinking Water:
Dr. Parameshwara said the State has experienced severe rainfall deficiency and farmers are in distress.
Overall rainfall has remained below expected levels,and Hoskote,Devanahalli,
Since these four taluks have been declared drought-affected, they are eligible for drought relief and other assistance under Government norms.
The district administration has been instructed to take measures to provide drinking water, necessary relief to farmers and carry out emergency works.
The State Government has already provided ₹1 crore to each Assembly constituency for drinking water in rural areas. Districts have also been provided ₹4 crore to ₹5 crore, depending on requirement.
At present, ₹9 crore is available in the disaster-management PD account of the Bengaluru Rural Deputy Commissioner.
The funds can be utilised in accordance with SDRF norms for drinking water arrangements, necessary works and emergency relief measures in the four drought-affected taluks.
The available funds must be used effectively to ensure that people do not face hardship. Additional funds will be provided by the Government if required, he assured.
Since farmers and labourers are facing severe hardship, problems relating to drinking water, employment and livelihoods must be addressed on priority, he directed.
Rs.1,250 Crore First Instalment for 50 Lakh Farmers; All-Party Delegation to Seek Central Assistance :
The State Government has decided to provide immediate financial assistance to farmers who have suffered crop losses due to drought.
Around 50 lakh eligible farmers will be provided ₹2,500 each as the first instalment of input subsidy, involving a total expenditure of ₹1,250 crore.
Necessary directions have been issued to Deputy Commissioners in this regard, Dr. Parameshwara said.
Considering the distress faced by farmers, the State Government has decided to provide relief from its own resources without waiting for Central assistance.
A memorandum detailing the losses caused by the drought has already been submitted to the Union Government.
A detailed memorandum has also been submitted seeking drought relief for Karnataka under the Union Government’s NDRF guidelines.
Dr. Parameshwara said there is a plan to visit Delhi in the coming days with an all-party delegation comprising the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and representatives of Opposition parties, and meet the Union Home Minister, Union Agriculture Minister and the Prime Minister.
The Union Government must also support the State in tackling the drought.
The delegation will place before the Centre the difficulties faced by Karnataka’s farmers and seek release of necessary relief funds, he said.
He said he had recently visited drought-affected areas in several districts and personally heard farmers’ problems.
Apart from crop losses caused by rainfall deficiency, farmers and workers are also facing difficulties due to shortages of drinking water and employment.The Government is taking necessary measures to support them during this period,he said.
Govt’s Objective Is to Provide Simple & Accessible Administration; Action Against Dereliction of Duty:
People visiting Revenue Department offices should not be forced to make repeated rounds to get their work done.
It is our responsibility to properly examine applications, dispose of them in accordance with rules and ensure that public services are delivered on time, he said.
Officials have been directed to give priority to the proper maintenance of records in taluk offices, disposal of Bagair Hukum applications, phodi-durasti works, khata transfers, court-related matters and other public grievances.
There should be no discrimination, unnecessary delay or irregularity in administration.
Officials must understand the problems faced by the public and discharge their responsibilities with accountability.
If the creation of fake documents,encroachment of Government land, misuse of records or officials acting in favour of influential persons comes to notice, legal action will be taken against those responsible.
Such surprise visits will continue to assess whether public work is being carried out smoothly and whether Government services are reaching people properly.
Public cooperation is also important to ensure effective delivery of Government services.
There should be no unnecessary delay in public work. Revenue records must remain secure, and eligible people must receive Government benefits on time.
Along with extending necessary support to farmers and the public affected by drought, our Government is committed to providing transparent, simple and people-friendly administration, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara said.
