110 more govt services brought under Sakala initiative

Karnataka government today decided to bring additional 110 government services under the Sakala initiative for their delivery in a time-bound manner, taking the number to 365.
The previous BJP government had implemented the initiative in regard to 265 services in 30 departments for the benefit of citizens across the state.
At a cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, it was decided to bring 110 additional services, including those in the departments of education, urban development and food, under the scheme's ambit, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said in a media briefing.
He expected 100 more services to come under the initiative in the next 15 days.

"1,800 services have been identified (to be brought under Sakala)", Jayachandra said.
The government said earlier this month that second generation reforms would be introduced to bring qualitative improvements in Sakala Services Act-2011, to make all government services hassle-free and time-bound but gave no timeline.

According to government officials, Karnataka is in the forefront in the country in implementation of the scheme by providing maximum government services within a stipulated time.
Based on Sakala initiative, the Central government is contemplating to bring into effect amendments to laws relating to public grievances. World Bank, representatives from Bangladesh, Chicago and California University have applauded the Sakala scheme, they said.

Meanwhile, Jayachandra said the Cabinet left it to the Chief Minister to pick the new Chief Secretary from a panel of 14 names.
Sudhir Krishna, currently Secretary to the Union Ministry of Urban Development, is said to be the front-runner. Incumbent S V Ranganath is retiring this month-end.