Public grievance meet: Dy.CM orders suspension of officials for taking bribe, directs DC to cancel licence of fair price shop 

In a swift action to complaints of citizens, Deputy Chief Minister (Dy.CM) and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar ordered suspension of officials and cancellation of licence of ration shop at the public grievance meeting in K.R. Puram in Mahadevapura zone. 

In a swift action to complaints of citizens, Deputy Chief Minister (Dy.CM) and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar ordered suspension of officials and cancellation of licence of ration shop at the public grievance meeting in K.R. Puram in Mahadevapura zone. 

This was one of the many directions Mr. Shivakumar issued at the day-long grievance redressal meet “Government at your doorstep”. The Minister gave a patient hearing to every citizen before they were sent to dedicated counters to file the plaints in the system.

Officials from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd. (Bescom), and other departments were present. About 15 counters were set up to register grievances. The citizens first took a token and then spoke to Mr. Shivakumar and registered plaints at the counter. Wednesday’s event was held for the residents of K.R. Puram and Mahadevapura Assembly constituencies.

The crowd cheered and clapped when Mr. Shivakumar instructed BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath to suspend civic officials Vinay and Venkatesh who collected ₹1 lakh bribe from a woman identified as Reetamma. Ms. Reetamma told Mr. Shivakumar that the officials took bribe to generate A Khata for her property but did not deliver it.

Ramya, another citizen, complained that a fair price shop at K.R. Puram had been collecting ₹7,000 from people to provide ration cards and were also collecting ₹20 to give rice. Angered by this complaint, Mr. Shivakumar directed Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru (Urban) district K.A. Dayananda to visit the shop and cancel its licence. 

A couple, who gave a letter seeking financial help from the government for the treatment of their son for spinal chord-related ailments, were taken by surprise when Mr. Shivakumar said they would receive a call from the BBMP Commissioner’s office and a sum of ₹1 lakh would be credited for the treatment. Mr. Shivakumar also announced ₹1 lakh aid for the treatment of kidney-related ailment of a man, following a plea by his wife.