Proposal to close RC offices sparks debate on decentralisation

While some argue that new technology and systems have made them redundant, others say regional commissioners play a key role in far-flung areas

Karnataka government’s proposal to abolish offices of regional commissioners, as per one of the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission-2, is facing opposition by some organisations and former bureaucrats on the ground that it is against the spirit of decentralisation. R Ashok, Revenue Minister, has said that there is a proposal to ablish the four regional commissioner offices in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Belagavi and Kalaburagi to reduce unnecessary expenses and redeploy staff to various vacant posts. The Kalyan Karnataka Janapara Sangharsha Samiti in Kalaburgi and Central Committee of Kannada Organisations (CCKO) in Belagavi have sent requests to the State government to reconsider the decision.