'Your Grievance, Our Solution': Karnataka Takes Governance to the People in Hanagal

For residents of Hanagal, a town in Karnataka's Haveri district, the government came to them on Saturday — not the other way around. Sugar and Textiles Minister and Haveri district in-charge Minister Rudrappa Lamani launched the Praja Seva campaign at the Sri Kumareshwar Mutt, setting in motion a drive built around a simple promise: 'Your grievance, our solution'.

A direct line between citizens and government

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Mr. Lamani said the campaign would provide a direct platform for interaction between the public and the government. His message carried a clear empathy for rural citizens: people should not be forced to travel repeatedly to Bengaluru or district headquarters to get their problems resolved.

Instead, he said, officials should immediately address minor issues that can be settled at the Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner and Tahsildar levels.

"It may not be possible to resolve every problem at once, but issues that can be settled at the taluk, sub-division, and district levels must be addressed without delay," he said.

Larger issues, including drought-related problems, would be brought to the notice of the State government by elected representatives and Ministers, he added.

How Praja Seva will work

Srinivas Mane, Chairman of the Karnataka Housing Board and MLA, laid out the mechanics. Praja Seva meetings are being held under the leadership of district in-charge Ministers on the first and third Saturdays of every month in each Assembly constituency. Applications received at the meetings would be examined by the departments concerned and reviewed every Wednesday for speedy disposal, he said.

Mr. Mane urged officials to extend the programme to hobli and zilla panchayat levels, noting that the meetings offer a common platform to raise issues requiring the attention of district and State authorities. He also said Bharat Jodo youth organisations were being formed to guide young people and create awareness about the country's culture, traditions, and local practices.

Governance at the doorstep

Deputy Commissioner Vijayamahantesh Danammanavar said the administration was committed to taking governance to the people and providing suitable replies to applicants within a prescribed timeframe. Applications requiring more time would be disposed of according to the rules, he said.

The launch had a practical edge, too. Information and exhibition stalls of various departments were inaugurated, and orders and benefits were distributed to beneficiaries, including assistance under welfare schemes. District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority chairman Hanumanthappa Maragadi, officials and elected representatives were present.