Bengaluru: In a significant push toward e-governance, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced on Tuesday that the department is set to completely discard the traditional ‘tapal’ or physical file system, moving entirely to a digital format.
At an event held at Vidhana Soudha, Gowda highlighted how this outdated method causes bureaucratic delays. “Physical file movement slows down governance and inconveniences the public. To fix this, we’re shifting everything—from VAOs to minister-level work—onto digital platforms,” he said.
As the first phase of this initiative, 4,000 laptops have been distributed to Village Administrative Officers (VAOs) across Karnataka. The minister added that every VAO in the state will receive a laptop by the end of fiscal 2025-26. Once implemented, all documentation will be digitized, with file movement happening online to boost efficiency and transparency.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who attended the function, revealed that 1,000 VAOs have recently been appointed—the largest such recruitment in the department’s history. He emphasized that the process was fully merit-based and corruption-free, conducted via the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA). With these new appointments, the total number of VAOs stands at 9,003, although 831 posts remain unfilled.
In a parallel development, the government has initiated action against Ponzi scheme operators. Properties and bank accounts tied to three separate fraud cases in Bengaluru have been frozen. These include ₹96 lakh in deposits across 24 accounts and multiple residential and land assets linked to chit fund and cooperative frauds.
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