Bengaluru, June 21: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Saturday the establishment of a new ‘Praja Seva Department’ aimed at addressing public grievances related to civic issues and social movements.
Shivakumar spoke to reporters following a Cabinet meeting at Vidhana Soudha, stating that the responsibility of this new department will be assigned to a separate minister. The goal is to resolve citizens’ concerns promptly while adhering to legal frameworks.
“Our government aims to understand the difficulties faced by the people and take action within the bounds of the law. A senior IAS officer will be appointed to oversee the department, investigate complaints, and provide necessary information. This initiative is designed to deliver justice to citizens,” he said.
The government is also considering including petitions submitted to the Chief Minister and other ministers under the purview of this new department.
District in-charge ministers will be required to hold weekly meetings with local legislators in their respective districts to address public complaints, with periodic reviews of the raised issues.
The Cabinet approved a waiver for all buildings constructed before May 31 to obtain electricity connections. Building owners must submit photographs of their properties along with GPS records within 15 days of the government order to apply for the connection.
Shivakumar noted that rural infrastructure, such as silk farming sheds and animal shelters, will also be exempt from this requirement. However, newly constructed buildings will not qualify for the waiver.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the construction of a 200-bed super-specialty hospital at the Yadgir Institute of Medical Sciences, with an estimated cost of ₹100 crores.
Administrative approval was also granted for six civil work projects at the Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences, costing ₹18 crores, and the purchase of medical equipment for the Bengaluru Medical Research Institute Hospital, estimated at ₹60 crores.
The state government has approved the purchase of 620 new buses at a cost of ₹235 crores. An additional ₹112 crores will be spent on establishing electric bus depots at 11 locations under various state transport corporations. The Cabinet also sanctioned ₹30 crores for the construction of a modern bus stand at the headquarters of Sandur Taluk.
Of the 620 buses, 400 will operate in rural areas, while 220 will be allocated to the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC).
To support students preparing for UPSC and other competitive exams, the Cabinet approved ₹80 crores for the construction of Karnataka Bhavan-IV in New Delhi through the Karnataka Building Welfare Board.
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