We have brought in reforms to help the public, says Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda

The Revenue Department has brought in many reforms, including bringing down the pendency of cases before the revenue officials for the benefit of the public, said Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.

In a press conference after hoisting the national flag to mark the Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations in Hassan on Saturday, Mr. Byre Gowda said that as per rule, the tahsildars had to clear the cases that came before them within 90 days. However, when he took over the department two and a half years ago, the number of cases pending before the tahsildars beyond 90 days, was 10,774. Due to consistent efforts, the pendency beyond 90 days had been reduced to 696, thereby clearing more than 94% of pending cases.

Similarly, Assistant Commissioners had to clear cases within six months. The number of cases pending before them for more than a year was 59,339. Following the efforts by the department, the number had been reduced 12,633, which amounted to clearing 80% of cases. Of the pending cases, 32,737 had been pending for more than five years. Some cases had been pending for 10 to 12 years. “Now, the number of cases pending beyond five years has been reduced to 4,030,” the Minister said.

The State government had appointed Special Assistant Commissioners to clear the pendency of cases. In Hassan district alone, there were 906 cases pending at the courts of Assistant Commissioners. The number had been reduced to 112. Similarly, there were 732 cases pending before the Deputy Commissioner in Hassan and the number had been brought down to 194. “The clearance of pendency and early disposal saves a lot of expenses for the public,” Mr. Byre Gowda stated.

Crop loss

Mr. Byre Gowda said that in the kharif season, the average rainfall in the State was slightly above normal. However, due to heavy downpour within a short period, damages occurred in certain parts; the department had collected the details of the crop loss and damage caused to public structures, he added.

According to reports, 18.5 lakh farmers suffered crop loss and crops grown in 14.5 lakh hectares had been damaged. The State government had begun the process of distributing relief to the farmers and as per the State Disaster Response Fund norms, the State had to distribute a compensation of ₹1,550 crore, the Minister said. However, the government decided to distribute an additional ₹1,248 crore, he added. “In total, we are distributing ₹2,798 crore. The amount is being credited to farmers’ accounts directly. Within a week or 10 days, the farmers would get the amount,” Mr. Byre Gowda assured.

“The rains damaged not only the crops, but also basic infrastructure, public buildings, and roads. The government assessed the value of the damage caused at ₹3,450 crore. As per National Disaster Response Force norms, the Centre had to give ₹1,545 crore to rebuild the structures damaged. It is the duty of the Centre to release the amount. We have prepared a memorandum to seek the funds. We will submit the request. Karnataka ranks first among the States in per capita tax payments. Last time, when the Centre did not give compensation at the time of drought, we moved the Supreme Court and got the funds,” he elaborated.

Lok Sabha member Shreyas M. Patel, Deputy Commissioner K.S. Lathakumari, Superintendent of Police Mohammed Sujeetha, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer B.R. Poornima, and others were present.