CM Siddaramaiah warns of possible rainfall dip, stresses uninterrupted drinking water supply

The CM launched the new Karnataka Progress Portal and a handbook related to monitoring schemes, approvals, and inter-departmental coordination.

All works should be completed within the stipulated time, and construction costs should not escalate due to delays.

Contracts worth up to ₹2 crore have been reserved for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe contractors, and such reservations should not be bypassed by bundling works into larger packages.

He directed officials to ensure that grants are utilized within the stipulated period.

Under centrally sponsored programmes, the state released ₹22,768 crore in 2025–26 and the Centre ₹16,729 crore; Siddaramaiah said ₹11,367 crore is still pending from the Centre.

He highlighted 32,132 posts pending in cadres related to Kalyana Karnataka, with recruitment not yet begun, and said revision of cadre and recruitment rules is pending in some departments and should be completed soon.

Siddaramaiah called for immediate steps to fill vacant sanctioned posts, noting that the finance department has approved the filling of 24,300 posts.

He warned that delays in addressing public grievances could erode people's trust in the government and said Sakala applications should be disposed of on time.

The CM directed that all government orders should be implemented and execution should begin by May; otherwise, the respective secretaries will be held responsible.

From the 2026-27 budget announcements, government orders have been issued for only five.

He cited that this year's budget had 565 announcements, including 218 new ones, and reiterated that officials should implement all budget announcements within the same year, reporting any practical difficulties to him or the chief secretary.

The CM said implementing budget announcements is the responsibility of officials, noting that 15 announcements from last year's budget are yet to be implemented.

He urged senior officials to express their opinions fearlessly, independently, and truthfully.

Referring to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he noted Patel's view that secretaries should fearlessly and independently convey their views to ministers and not hesitate to speak the truth.

Siddaramaiah stressed that departmental secretaries are crucial for proper state administration as recognised in the Constitution, and they should act in accordance with it.

He advised giving suggestions to ministers within the scope of the law and said that bringing a good name to the government depends on the work of the secretaries, calling for a more agile administration.

Citing B. R. Ambedkar, the CM warned against officials appeasing politicians as it could lead to dictatorship, and urged officials to work within the framework of the law.

He stated that it is the responsibility of the respective secretaries to resolve the problems of the districts under their jurisdiction and that drinking water supply should not be affected for any reason.

Siddaramaiah directed district in-charge secretaries to constantly monitor the drinking water situation in their districts and to hold meetings with deputy commissioners and zilla panchayat chief executive officers for this purpose.

The instruction was delivered during a meeting of additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and secretaries of all departments held at Vidhana Soudha.

Karnataka Chief Minister G. Siddaramaiah stated there is a possibility of a 5 per cent decrease in rainfall this year and urged officials to ensure that drinking water supply is not affected.