Bengaluru, DHNS: Cracking the whip on officials for “laxity” and “negligence”, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said he will not tolerate such conduct.

Addressing a review meeting of all regional commissioners and deputy commissioners in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah asked officials to get their act together, as their “negligence” was costing the government dearly, according to a press note from the government.

Asking them to step out of their air-conditioned offices to address public grievances, Siddaramaiah showed the officials who’s boss. “Don’t think that you can misguide me. I am a lawyer by profession. I know what kind of questions to ask. So don’t fall into the trap by lying to me,” he said, adding that officials should do their homework before coming to meetings.

Pointing out to complaints of bribery and non-utilisation of funds under important schemes, Siddaramaiah said if these issues are not addressed immediately, then the district administration would be held liable. He also warned senior officers of disciplinary action if they failed address public grievances highlighted by the media immediately.

Taking serious objection to non-redressal of complaints, Siddaramaiah said that though his office had forwarded as many as 160 complaints to various district administrations, only 19 complaints had been looked into. “Such laxity and irresponsible conduct will not be tolerated any longer. Because of your negligence, people curse the government, which has to pay the penalty every five years,” he added. He also said there were many complaints pertaining to bribery in the revenue department, especially in sub-registrar offices, when it came to processing land documents. “If the bribe is not paid, applicants are made to run from pillar to post. Isn’t it the responsibility of the deputy commissioner and the department heads to intervene and help get the applicants?” he said. Despite the government sanctioning Rs 141 crore to meet drinking water needs, only Rs 28 crore had been spent, he said.