Mysuru: The Karnataka government’s ‘Prajaseve’ campaign, aimed at taking public services to people’s doorsteps and resolving their grievances, has been conducted at 620 locations across the state, with more than one lakh applications received so far, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said.
Speaking after launching the campaign in Piriyapatna, Shivakumar said the government was prioritising the disposal of applications submitted by the public. The initiative, he said, was conceived from his four decades of political experience and was designed to ensure that people’s concerns are heard and addressed directly.
He said that after becoming an MLA, he had made it a practice to visit villages every year, gaining first-hand knowledge of local issues. The campaign brings ministers, MLAs and government officials directly to communities to understand their problems and provide solutions, he added.
Launched on September 5, the campaign has received more than one lakh applications, many of them concerning the Revenue, Rural Development and Urban Development departments. Grievances related to roads, land subdivision (Podi), pensions, drinking water, electricity, forests, healthcare, police, labour, agriculture and horticulture are also being taken up in the presence of officials.
Shivakumar said the government’s primary objective was to resolve genuine public grievances and ensure that citizens could lead a better life. Officials from the respective departments have been tasked with reviewing applications and taking appropriate action.
The chief minister said he would personally monitor the progress of applications, including those resolved and those pending. In cases where applications remain unresolved, officials would be required to explain the reasons for the delay and suggest a way forward.
A dedicated legal assistance centre has been established under the campaign to help people facing difficulties with court-related matters. Legal aid facilities are available at taluk level, and experts have been invited to campaign venues to provide on-the-spot guidance.
Shivakumar said free legal assistance would be extended to those facing obstacles in navigating legal procedures.
The chief minister said a large number of applications initially received through the campaign were related to pensions. Several beneficiaries had reportedly lost their pension payments because the annual income eligibility limit was fixed at ₹32,000.
To address the issue, the government raised the income limit to ₹1.20 lakh, a decision that has benefited around 12 lakh people, he said.
Shivakumar said forest-related grievances were also frequently being raised during the campaign and cautioned against encroachment on forest land. He also stated that unlicensed firearms must be surrendered to the government by November 1, while those requiring firearms should apply for licences through legal procedures.
The government would issue guidelines for processing eligible applications, including those concerning ‘Bagar Hukum’ claims for cultivation of government land without formal title. He said instructions would be issued to prevent the eviction of people while ensuring that eligible beneficiaries were not subjected to injustice.
The chief minister said the campaign would continue to focus on addressing genuine grievances through a time-bound process, with officials expected to ensure accountability in the disposal of applications.
