Not Disposing Files Without Valid Reason Also Corruption: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Calling on officials to maintain "transparency and grip" over the administration, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said not disposing files without any valid reasons, also amounts to corruption.

Chairing a meeting of Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Additional Chief Secretaries to review progress of various government schemes, he directed officials to implement schemes in a time-bound manner and spend the allocated money in a stipulated period.

Asking them to respond to the grievances of the common man, he also advised them to work for the people and find solutions to issues faced by them.

Stating that departmental heads have to be responsible for any government to fulfill its promises, and to provide pro-people, corruption-free administration, Mr Siddaramaiah said officials have to fix a time frame to complete a programme.

"This will also help people," he said.

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Calling for coordination between various departments, the Chief Minister said there should not be any kind of blame game, as it will delay the progress of any programme.

"If there are any issues, bring it to my notice instead of giving blind reasons," Mr Siddaramaiah added.

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Seeking concentrated efforts to bring in transparency and tighten the administration, he said Police, Revenue, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj are departments directly in touch with the people.

So their effective functioning will generate good opinion of the government among the people.

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Asking departmental heads to take extra care on clearing files, he said, "taking bribe alone is not corruption; not disposing files with out any valid reasons also amounts to corruption, because it directly affects the public.

"Keeping public interest in mind, take step towards speedy disposal of files," he added.

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The Chief Minister also said non-utilisation of funds within a stipulated period is a criminal offence, so they should create an action plan in the initial stage itself regarding the implementation of any programme.

He asked officials not to just sit in their offices, but go to the people.

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"Conduct surprise visits and checks and take action against those who are inefficient and not doing justice to their job. This will bring discipline in administration and create fear among lower ranks," he added.

Directing officials to take drought situation seriously, the Chief Minister warned that any kind of irresponsibility or negligence by officials while working towards government's efforts to mitigate drought would not be tolerated.