CM Siddaramaiah cracks the whip, says DCs, CEOs must be more accessible

In a bid to strengthen grassroots governance, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday issued a strong directive for enhanced transparency, accountability, and public responsiveness in district administration.

Addressing a two-day review meeting of Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), and other senior officials, the chief minister expressed concern over administrative inefficiencies and issued a set of stern directives.

Siddaramaiah instructed all DCs and CEOs to publish their tour schedules in advance. “This measure will ensure greater transparency and allow citizens to know when and where officials are available,” a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said.

The CM emphasised that the DCs and the CEOs must regularly inspect schools, hostels, and residential institutions under their jurisdiction. At least one unannounced inspection per month is mandatory. He noted with dissatisfaction that some officials had failed to comply with this directive despite repeated reminders and instructed proper documentation of all such visits.

Siddaramaiah referred to complaints that some DCs and CEOs were not available at their offices. Public interaction hours, he said must be publicly announced in advance.

“It is usually the oppressed, the poor, and the general public who come to the DC office. If you do not listen to their grievances, who else will? Whom should they turn to in order to express their hardships?” he asked.

The CM expressed concern over the lack of access to healthcare, education, and road infrastructure in several rural and tribal areas. He also ordered all taluk- and district-level officers to reside at their designated headquarters and remain accessible to the public. Tje DCs have been tasked with monitoring this and reporting any non-compliance.

District in-charge secretaries have been directed to visit their assigned districts at least twice a month, inspecting development works and conducting surprise visits to schools, hospitals, and hostels. Reports of these visits must be submitted to the chief secretary, Siddaramaiah said.

Taking serious note of
deteriorating law and order issues in certain districts, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah issued a stern warning to the district officials that their primary duty was to uphold the Constitution, ensure peace, and work
in the public interest without exception.

“Peace and development go hand in hand. If law and order break down, progress halts. District officials will be held directly accountable,” he said, urging proactive measures instead of reactive responses.

Siddaramaiah also warned against the rise of anti-constitutional and anti-social forces. “Such forces must be uprooted in their early stages. It is the direct responsibility of DCs, CEOs, and SPs to ensure they do not gain ground,” he stated.