DVS details on public-friendly measures

SHIMOGA: Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda sought to project a public-friendly image during the course of his speech at a function here on Wednesday.The state government will issue title deeds to slum dwellers within the next 15- 20 days, for which a government order will be issued in a day or two, he said, after being felicitated by the City Municipal Council.Gowda was visiting the city for the first time after assuming office. “The Chief Minister’s Office would be transparent in all its affairs. Cameras would be installed in the home office for the benefit of the common man can see the works being done,” he added. He dwelt at length on introducing the citizen’s charter.To galvanise administrative machinery, all department heads and ministers were given a 15-day deadline to clear files.If the files were not cleared within the stipulated time, the respective officials would be held responsible, he added. A 24/7 helpline would be set up in the CM’s office. If people fail to get a positive response from departments or officials concerned, they can directly get in touch with the CM’s office through mail or phone and such complaints would be attended to immediately, he said.At the helipad during his first visit to the city after assuming office, he told reporters that Power Minister Shobha Karandlaje is in New Delhi to meet the Union Ministers for Coal and Energy and he was confident that the Central ministers would help the state.Already one round of discussion was held with the power supply companies who have been asked to supply power to Karnataka on the lines of Andhra Pradesh for the same rate.Before October 14, I will personally discuss with these companies, he said, declining to react to the comments of Congress leader Siddaramaiah on power scarcity.WILL TREAD IN BSY’S PATH: DVS“I never dreamt of becoming the CM. My party promoted me to this position rather unexpectedly,” said Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda. Gowda, who is also in-charge minister of the district, said that his responsibility increased manifold ever since he ascended office.Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has created the path for me to follow through his achievements. “No CM has focused on the state to the extent Yeddyurappa has,” Gowda added. In fact, the Central government had praised the state government for implementing programmes aimed at eradicating poverty, he said adding that he will just implement the programmes announced by Yeddyurappa and not launch new programmes until the next budget