Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission-2 (KARC-2) headed by former chief secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar has recommended the constitution of a Cut Waste Task Force to slash wasteful expenses incurred by various departments of the State Government, boards, and corporations. It also recommends performance appraisal for officers and staff, besides timely payment of compensation for land acquisition.
The commission, in its second and third reports, made several recommendations with regard to eight different departments. The commission had submitted its first report when B S Yediyurappa was the Chief Minister. The second report was submitted to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
The commission said that there are many avoidable expenses. For instance, it says, “Many offices print E Office papers and files for maintaining parallel paper records despite processes being paperless and automated.” In some offices, paper of very high quality is used, which is unnecessary for routine printing.
A number of old and defunct vehicles are parked in government premises and outside, occupying precious parking space. Disposing such vehicles would generate some revenue and free up space, according to the commission.
Cut Waste Task Force could receive suggestions from the public, internal and external stakeholders, on areas where the government can cut waste and effect savings in the delivery of public services and in its day-to-day functioning.
“This model has been adopted by the Government of Singapore since 2003. Within three years of its inception, it managed to save over $11.4 million of public resources by implementation of the accepted suggestions,” the report states.
Movement of files
On the delay in movement of files hitting services, the report said the Central Government has decided that no file in any of its ministries should move more than four levels. Similarly, the State Government should decide that no file in the secretariat should move more than three or four stages. At present, files have to pass through 5-10 stages.
The State Government should utilise post offices in Karnataka for delivery of citizen-centric services since they are already delivering Central Government services. It recommends setting up of Common Service Centers (CSCs) by village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs) for door-to-door service delivery as ’Janasevakas’.
Land acquisition
On compensation for land acquisition, the report says that if a payment is not made in time, additional compensation would have to be paid for the delayed period. “Therefore, this service should be notified as Sakala Service by the Revenue Department and other departments engaged in land acquisition. Land acquisition compensation should be paid through Aadhaar-based system to prevent fraud,” it recommends.
The commission suggested amendments to Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993 and Karnataka Panchayat Raj ( Budget and Accounts) Rules 2006 to impose double property tax on illegal sites and buildings in rural areas as in urban areas.
Gram panchayats owe ₹3,993 crore to ESCOMs in electricity bills. “This may increase to ₹8,500 crore by 2025,” it said and recommended early resolution of this issue.
More women police
With citizens feeling hesitant to go to police stations, the panel has suggested establishment of citizen services help desks in all police stations and increase in the percentage of female representation in non-gazetted police staff from 8.3% to 33%, by providing reservation for women in the recruitment of constables and non-gazetted staff.
The panel recommends mergers of BDA and BMRDA; Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and Finance Department, Panchayat Raj Engineering Department (PRED) and Karnataka Rural Road Development Agency; Karnataka State Biofuel Development Board and Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd; and offices of Taluk Social Welfare and Taluk Tribal Welfare; and taluk-level Backward Classes and Minority Welfare offices.
