Mangaluru: Lokayukta officials from the Mangaluru division conducted simultaneous surprise inspections at nine taluk offices across Dakshina Kannada on Wednesday, examining pending files, public applications, land-related cases and administrative procedures. The inspections, which continued from morning until night at some locations, were carried out based on suo motu cases registered by the Lokayukta and complaints received from members of the public.

The operation covered the taluk offices in Mangaluru, Puttur, Bantwal, Sullia, Kadaba, Ullal, Moodbidri, Mulki and Beltangady. The inspection was conducted under the leadership of Lokayukta Dinesh B P. Four DSPs, five inspectors and 55 Lokayukta personnel participated in the operation.

Pending files come under scrutiny

The Lokayukta teams focused primarily on the status of applications and cases that had remained pending for extended periods. Officials examined case files, previous orders, documents, disposal records and procedures followed by staff while processing applications.

At several offices, officials questioned staff about files that had not been disposed of for a long time and sought explanations for the delays.

The surprise nature of the inspections allowed the teams to examine the actual status of files and administrative work without prior notice. Officials also collected information on applications received from the public, the number disposed of and those still awaiting action.

Bantwal taluk office inspected

The Lokayukta team made a surprise visit to the Bantwal taluk office and inspected documents relating to pending applications and cases.

Officials examined case files, previous orders and details concerning the disposal of applications. They also obtained information directly from the staff members handling the concerned files.

The inspection was aimed at determining whether applications were being processed according to procedure and whether there were unexplained delays in disposing of cases.

Puttur office files examined

At the Puttur taluk office, Lokayukta officials examined the disposal of files, pending applications and documents relating to various cases.

The team sought details about the number of applications received from members of the public and the status of those applications. Officials also checked whether cases had been disposed of within the required procedures and whether any files had remained pending without sufficient reasons.

Sullia inspection includes 94C complaint

At the Sullia taluk office, officials visited various sections and obtained information about files, applications submitted by the public and cases that had remained pending.

During the inspection, officials also examined a file connected to a complaint alleging that land had been sanctioned under Section 94C to three members of the same family in Pambethady and Kuthkunja villages.

The Lokayukta team sought information from the tahsildar, deputy tahsildar, officials from various sections and other staff members. Details regarding applications received, applications disposed of and pending applications were collected.

Officials also questioned staff after noticing that some files in certain sections had remained pending for a considerable period.

Complaint brought to officials’ attention

During the inspection at Sullia, Somanath of Kanakamajalu reportedly brought an issue concerning the Section 94C case worker to the attention of the Lokayukta officials.

He showed documents relating to the matter on his mobile phone. The DSP accompanying the team recorded the relevant details, including the file number and the name of the concerned case worker.

The information is expected to form part of the material examined by the Lokayukta authorities while assessing the complaint and the handling of the related case.

Beltangady office also inspected

At the Beltangady taluk office, Lokayukta officials inspected files from different sections and examined the disposal of applications and documents relating to various cases.

The team collected information about applications received from the public, files that had been disposed of and cases that were still pending.

Officials also sought details about the procedures followed by staff while processing and closing files.

Mulki and Moodbidri inspections continue until night

The Lokayukta teams also conducted surprise inspections at the Mulki and Moodbidri taluk offices. The inspections continued until night, with officials focusing particularly on files that had remained pending for lengthy periods.

They also examined recently disposed files to understand the process followed by officials while handling applications received from the public.

Some files were inspected on the spot, while staff members were questioned about the documents contained in them and the procedures followed for disposal.

It is learnt that the teams noticed certain shortcomings relating to administrative functioning and file management during the inspections.

Ullal office faces detailed scrutiny

At the Ullal taluk office, officials conducted an extensive inspection following several complaints received from members of the public.

The team began questioning officials and staff from around 11 am and continued the examination until night. Relevant files and administrative documents were inspected during the operation.

Officials sought information regarding files that had remained pending for long periods. They also examined details concerning land that had not been sanctioned under the Bagair Hukum scheme, complaints alleging that government land had passed into private hands and documents connected with such matters.

Members of the public also submitted complaints directly to the Lokayukta team during the inspection. Officials said these complaints would be examined as part of the further process.

All sections inspected

The simultaneous inspections across nine taluk offices resulted in increased activity in several offices, particularly concerning the disposal of pending work.

The Lokayukta officials said all sections of the taluk offices were inspected during the operation. The teams collected information from tahsildars, deputy tahsildars, case workers and other staff members and examined relevant files and records.

The operation was aimed at identifying delays, administrative shortcomings and possible irregularities in the handling of public applications and government land-related matters.

Report to be submitted

The Lokayukta officials are expected to compile the information gathered during the inspections and submit a report to the Lokayukta central office.

The findings will indicate whether further action is required in connection with pending applications, administrative lapses or complaints received from the public.

The large-scale inspections also serve as a reminder to officials handling public applications that files are expected to be processed within the prescribed procedures and without unnecessary delay. Any further action will depend on the findings recorded by the Lokayukta teams after examining the documents and complaints collected during the operation.