Karnataka Minister sets up interactive portal Kalaburagi Connect to directly hear people’s grievances about gram and zilla panchayats

Karnataka is working on an interactive citizen communication system to clean up Panchayat Raj institutions in the State

Karnataka plans on building an interactive and seamless communication system to facilitate effective grievance redressal, to cut corruption, to streamline the day-to-day activities of Panchyat Raj institutions, and ensure transparency and quick delivery of various services across the State.

As a pilot project, Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT, BT, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR), has set up Kalaburagi Connect, an interactive portal on which citizens can post all their grievances, reach out and interact with the Minister, who is also in charge of the district, without an intermediary.

Citizens would be able to access this system via WhatsApp, email or through scanning a QR code, and reach out to the Minister directly. They can write, upload data or images about their unpleasant experiences, including demand for bribe at any zilla panchayat, taluk panchayat or gram panchayat, utility office or any other government office.

“We are trying to bring technology intervention in Panchayat Raj for better performance of panchayats, better access of services to the people, and better delivery to the people. The idea is to leverage technology to streamline the grievance redressal system,” the Minister told The Hindu. Around 35 government departments in Kalaburagi are integrated with this system.

“This system will function as a one-stop solution. I will get a daily update from the district, which will say which department did what on that day. All complaints and grievances will be posted on a dashboard. It could be something about water contamination, or an issue involving corruption, or any other grievance,’‘ he said

This is expected to establish a model for other such systems. “Hassle-free and corruption-free citizen services should become a culture in Karnataka. This is a replicable platform. We will see how this is working in Kalaburagi over a period of one month.”

RDPR Department is currently in the process of beta testing Panchatantra 2, a digital platform for better and transparent governance in Panchayat Raj Institutions.