Priyank Kharge Calls for Stronger Anti-Drug Measures, SIR Awareness and Better Public Service Delivery

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge participated in a video conference with government officials and employees at the Vidhana Soudha Banquet Hall on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

During the interaction, Kharge stressed the need for stronger measures to support the Chief Minister’s vision of making Karnataka a drug-free state. He called upon the police department to intensify efforts to curb the sale and consumption of narcotic substances across the state.

He noted that awareness campaigns such as ‘RISE’ and ‘Beda BRO’ are already being conducted to highlight the harmful effects of drug abuse. He urged officials to organise similar awareness programmes at the taluk level, particularly to educate young people and the wider public about the dangers of narcotic substances.

Kharge also called for greater preparedness and coordination among government departments while dealing with emerging challenges. Referring to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) model he had formulated and implemented during his tenure as Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister to address drinking water problems during drought, he said departments should take proactive measures instead of waiting for problems to arise.

He emphasised that existing procedures must be properly implemented and that preventive action should be prioritised over reactive measures.

Awareness on Special Intensive Revision

On the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, Kharge stressed the need for extensive public awareness campaigns. He urged officials to ensure that eligible voters verify their names and personal details and receive proper guidance throughout the process.

With a large number of voters undergoing verification under the SIR exercise, he emphasised that every eligible voter should be able to exercise their right to vote.

Kharge directed officials to conduct effective SIR awareness campaigns at the district and taluk levels, focusing on voter verification and the correction or updating of electoral roll details.

He further underlined that protecting the voting rights of eligible citizens is a fundamental responsibility of democracy and called for widespread awareness to ensure that no eligible voter is left out of the electoral roll.

Focus on Public Service Delivery

The Home Minister also stressed that the effective implementation of the government’s people-oriented schemes and welfare agenda depends on the efficiency and responsiveness of government officials and employees.

He said the interaction was an important step towards strengthening the administrative machinery, improving governance and ensuring better public services for the people of Karnataka.

Minister Ajay Dharam Singh, Minister Laxman Savadi, and Karnataka Government Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, IAS, were also present during the interaction.