Raju K appointed as new Additional Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada

In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, the Karnataka State Government has appointed Raju K as the new Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Dakshina Kannada district, a vital coastal region known for its diverse population, rapid urban growth, and complex administrative needs. He replaces Dr G Santosh Kumar, who previously held the post.

Prior to this appointment, Raju K served as the Special Land Acquisition Officer at the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) in Mangaluru, where he played a pivotal role in facilitating land acquisition for industrial development projects—an area critical to the region’s economic expansion.

Raju K is a seasoned civil servant with a robust administrative track record. He has held multiple leadership roles, including:

• Managing Director of the Smart City Project, where he oversaw urban infrastructure upgrades, digitization efforts, and public utility enhancements in alignment with the Smart City Mission.
• Assistant Commissioner with additional charge in Udupi, Kaup, and Brahmavar, where he handled local governance, land revenue matters, and coordination between departments.
• Assistant Commissioner in Mangaluru and Kundapur, managing law and order, election duties, and district-level developmental activities.
• Registrar at Mangalore University, where he gained experience in academic administration, compliance, and institutional governance.

With this diverse background, Raju K brings both grassroots administrative experience and high-level policy execution skills to his new role as ADC. His tenure is expected to focus on streamlining public service delivery, enhancing coordination between departments, and boosting developmental initiatives across both urban and rural areas of the district.

Given Dakshina Kannada’s prominence in education, commerce, and tourism, Raju K’s experience in urban development, land management, and institutional leadership is seen as a strategic fit. His leadership could play a key role in addressing regional challenges such as infrastructure demands, coastal management, and efficient service delivery in rapidly growing urban zones like Mangaluru.