Minister for Muzrai, Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport K.S. Basavanthappa directed officials to ensure that grievances received under the State government’s ‘Praja Seva’ campaign are resolved within 15 days and warned of stringent disciplinary action against those who neglect public complaints.

Inaugurating the taluk-level Praja Seva campaign organised by the district and taluk administrations at the Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Community Hall on Hospet Road in Harapanahalli on Saturday, Mr. Basavanthappa, who is also the Vijayanagara district in-charge Minister, said the initiative was aimed at ending the practice of people making repeated visits to government offices in search of solutions to their problems.

“Issues that could be resolved at the venue should be taken up immediately in consultation with officials concerned. Where legal or other complications prevented immediate resolution, the officials should give applicants adequate time to rectify the deficiencies and provide appropriate guidance. In cases that could not be resolved immediately, the applicants should be clearly informed about the next course of action and the time required,” Mr. Basavanthappa said, warning that officials who make people run from one office to another or fail to respond to applications would face stringent disciplinary action.

A resident complained that an electricity transformer installed close to his house was causing inconvenience.

Mr. Basavanthappa directed officials concerned to look into the issue.

In another case, a petitioner alleged that property covered by a will executed by elderly family members was being misused and that officials were delaying its transfer. The Minister directed the tahsildar to examine the matter immediately and take action if the transfer was legally permissible.

A person with a disability from the Bennihalli Gram Panchayat complained that his pension had been stopped after officials mistakenly recorded him as deceased in the online system. The Minister directed officials to take appropriate action against the official responsible for the error and restore the pension after due verification.

Farmers submitted a petition alleging that the Forest Department had taken possession of land which their families had been cultivating for nearly 70 to 80 years. They sought recognition of their rights over the land and a resolution to the issue.