Praja Seva initiative aims to take govt. closer to the people: Khader

Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Minister U.T. Khader on Saturday said the Praja Seva initiative had been launched with the intention of ensuring that the administration and government remain close to the people and that the services of all departments are taken to the common man.

Speaking after inaugurating the district-level Praja Seva programme at the Mangalore University campus in Konaje, Mr. Khader said Karnataka has a separate department for public service and that the programme would serve as a model for other States.

Officials should understand the problems faced by the public and come forward with appropriate solutions, he said. Issues that require decisions at the State level would be brought to the attention of the officials concerned for necessary action.

Mr. Khader said the main objective of Praja Seva is to streamline the administrative system and ensure that people’s work is completed as quickly as possible. It is also aimed at promoting comprehensive development, resolving the problems of the common man and delivering the benefits of various government schemes to eligible beneficiaries. Officials should act as a bridge between the people and the government and respond to grievances with appropriate solutions, he said.

During the programme, the Minister received as many as 309 petitions from the public and assured them that their issues would be resolved at the earliest.

Deputy Commissioner H.V. Darshan said Praja Seva is a good platform for bringing grievances and long-pending issues at the taluk and hobli levels to the attention of the officials concerned and finding solutions.

Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor P.L. Dharma, Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation Chairperson Mamata Gatti, Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy and others were present on the occasion.