From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bangalore, Oct 13: Under attack from the Opposition and several organisations against the State Government’s soft approach towards land grabbers, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed Deputy Commissioners in all districts to install signboards mentioning the availability of government lands, gomal lands, tanks and lakes at hobli, taluk and Deputy Commissioner’s offices to prevent encroachment of lands.

The chief minister, who addressed a meeting of top officials of the government In Vidhana Soundha on Monday to review the implementation progress of welfare schemes during the last six months of the current financial year (2014-15, asked all Deputy Commissioners to install signboards in their offices mentioning figures about government, gomal and forest lands to prevent encroachment by land sharks.

"Installation of signboards on availability of lands will help protection of government lands worth several crores of rupees," he said and asked officials to discharge their basic duties without fail.

The Chief Minister’s instruction assumed significance following a demand from several social organisations under the leadership of nonagerian freedom fighter H S Doreswamy on implementation of the A T Ramaswamy Report.

Directing Secretaries in-charge of districts to visit districts at least 2 to 3 times to tone up the administration, Siddaramaiah said he was dissatisfied with the present style of functioning of Deputy Commissioners.

Siddaramaiah said he had received hundreds of petitions from the people during the Janata Darshan regarding the failure of Deputy Commissioners and district officials to address the problems at the local level.

``This is a sad state of affairs,” he said it was deplorable that the people had to come all the way to Bangalore to meet and give representations to him during the Janata Darshan.

Eligible beneficiaries have not been able to receive benefits under various schemes owing to delay in issuing change of khatas and title deeds, he said.

Siddaramaiah asked officials to hold Revenue Adalads on mission mode to address the grievances of the poor, small and marginal land-holding families.

The Chief Minister took note of abseentism of teachers and doctors in schools and health centres, respectively and instructed senior officials to ensure timely delivery of services.

Despite availability of drugs in government hospitals, he said it was lamentable that doctors issue prescriptions to purchase medicines from private medical shops.

There has been delay in releasing funds to students under the Vidyasiri scheme also even though the state government has released funds, he said.