{"id":3909,"date":"2025-04-21T23:55:21","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T18:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=3909"},"modified":"2025-04-21T23:55:21","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T18:25:21","slug":"dont-make-people-beg-for-basic-services-d-k-shivakumar-to-govt-staff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=3909","title":{"rendered":"\u201cDon\u2019t Make People Beg for Basic Services\u201d: D.K. Shivakumar to Govt Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cBe the Bridge, Not a Barrier\u201d: DCM D.K. Shivakumar Urges Government Employees to Serve Public Efficiently<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

At the State Government Employees\u2019 Day celebration, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar advises officials to adopt a positive attitude, avoid red tape, and recognize their unique opportunity to bring change.<\/p>\n

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Bengaluru, April 21<\/strong> \u2013
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar issued a strong message to Karnataka\u2019s government employees on Monday, urging them to stop making citizens run from pillar to post for basic services and to instead become catalysts for change within the public service machinery.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the State Government Employees\u2019 Day 2025<\/strong> celebration and the State-Level \u2018Sarvottama Seva\u2019 Award Ceremony<\/strong> at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Shivakumar likened government employees to priests, saying they act as intermediaries between the people and the government.<\/p>\n

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\u201cJust like a priest stands between a devotee and God, you stand between the people and the government. Don\u2019t make citizens visit your offices again and again for work that can be done efficiently. Work with a positive attitude,\u201d Shivakumar appealed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cAvoid Needless Bureaucracy\u201d<\/h3>\n

The DCM criticized the practice of creating hurdles for people even when their work is viable and complete.<\/p>\n

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\u201cSome officials behave as though their job is merely to put up obstacles. Even when a task is possible, people are told to bring one document after another. In rural areas, I\u2019ve seen people forced to offer bribes in the form of snacks, fruits, or even chickens just to get simple things done. I\u2019ve experienced this firsthand during my political career,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cYou Have a Rare Opportunity \u2013 Use It Well\u201d<\/h3>\n

Acknowledging the scale and importance of the bureaucracy, Shivakumar reminded employees of their privileged position.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWith 12.5 lakh government employees in Karnataka, you’ve received an opportunity that millions compete for. For 50 or 100 posts, lakhs apply. Value this chance. With wealth, you can support a family, but with power, you can support society,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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On Accountability and Democracy<\/h3>\n

Shivakumar emphasized the importance of accepting correction and being open to scrutiny from various democratic institutions\u2014including the media.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIn a democracy, civil servants are the executive branch that implements decisions made by the legislature. If we make mistakes, the judiciary corrects us. And the press points out our faults. Don\u2019t get angry when mistakes are highlighted\u2014acknowledge and correct them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He added, \u201cIf no one writes negatively about us, it means we haven\u2019t done anything wrong. But if we err, it\u2019s their duty to report it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Public Comes to You Only When They Need Help<\/h3>\n

Highlighting the essential role of public servants, Shivakumar said:<\/p>\n

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\u201cJust as we go to temples and pray for our children and families, people come to you when they face difficulties. If everything runs smoothly, they won\u2019t even need to visit your office. That should be your goal.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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A Personal Anecdote and the Power of Compassion<\/h3>\n

Recalling a past encounter with former Chitradurga Deputy Commissioner Puttarangaiah, Shivakumar shared a story from the time of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi\u2019s assassination.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI had gone to get a cinema license. Even though it was a day of mourning, he anticipated difficulties and issued the license immediately. I still remember and respect him for that. If you help people, society will remember you. Be that kind of officer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cThis Is a Chance to Serve Society\u201d<\/h3>\n

Shivakumar underscored the moral dimension of public service:<\/p>\n

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\u201cYou are not just workers\u2014you are caretakers of the people. Just like a tree relies on its roots and children rely on their mothers, the public depends on you. We may make policies, but it\u2019s up to you to implement them and flag their shortcomings.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He cited the words of Kengal Hanumanthaiah, saying, \u201cA government job is like a divine duty.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhile politicians face elections every five years, you have the opportunity to serve society for 60 years. That should make you proud. I\u2019m not asking you to break the law\u2014but within the framework of the law, always think of the people,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Reforms and Representation<\/h3>\n

Addressing recent criticism about schemes like free electricity and bus passes, Shivakumar defended the government\u2019s welfare initiatives.<\/p>\n

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\u201cPeople questioned why these benefits were extended to government employees. But we have given access to all. Our success is in our hands\u2014and this government, under the leadership of Siddaramaiah, is committed to your well-being and your future.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He concluded by noting that a committee headed by Anjum Parvez<\/strong> has been formed to work on decisions affecting government employees, and that Shadakshari<\/strong> has been re-elected as the president of the state employees\u2019 union.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYou have a strong team working on your behalf,\u201d Shivakumar affirmed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Implications:<\/strong>
Shivakumar\u2019s remarks reflect a broader push by the Karnataka government to address public grievances against bureaucratic delays, inefficiencies, and corruption, particularly at the grassroots level. His appeal for compassionate, citizen-focused governance comes at a time when public trust in administrative machinery is often tested by red tape and poor accountability.<\/p>\n

The DCM\u2019s candid tone and personal anecdotes signal a political strategy to align governance with people-centric values\u2014setting the tone for future reforms in public service delivered.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd39 Statements<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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  • \n

    Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar tells government employees: “Don’t make citizens run in circles. Be part of the solution, not the system’s problem.”<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    “Public service is not a privilege\u2014it’s a responsibility. Government employees must act with empathy, not arrogance.”<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    “Just like priests connect devotees to God, officers must connect citizens to governance\u2014with dignity and without delay.”<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Karnataka has 12.5 lakh government employees. DCM urges them to use this rare opportunity to serve, not hinder.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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    \ud83d\udd39 Quotes:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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    \u201cYou are the bridge between the people and the government. Don\u2019t turn it into a wall.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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    \u201cIf we don\u2019t make mistakes, no one will write against us. But if we do, we must correct them\u2014not complain.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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    \u201cPower gives you the chance to help more than your own family\u2014use it to serve the people.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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    \u201cPublic servants are not just officials\u2014they\u2019re caretakers of democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    \u201cBe the Bridge, Not a Barrier\u201d: DCM D.K. Shivakumar Urges Government Employees to Serve Public Efficiently At the State Government Employees\u2019 Day celebration, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar advises officials to adopt a positive attitude, avoid red tape, and recognize their unique opportunity to bring change. Bengaluru, April 21 \u2013Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar issued […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3910,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[125],"class_list":["post-3909","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-karnataka","tag-dk-shivakumar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3909","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3909"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3909\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3911,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3909\/revisions\/3911"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3910"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3909"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3909"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3909"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}