Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 2 : Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said the state Assembly session has been deferred to August in view of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive in the state, adding that the state government will finalise dates only after the completion of the exercise.
Addressing a press conference here, he added that the state government has decided to postpone the Assembly session, originally planned for July, to August as several officials, MLAs and political parties remain engaged in the SIR process.
"We had planned to convene it earlier, possibly in the second or third week, and therefore wanted to allow 15 days' time. But now, because of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, we have arrived at a different decision. Let the SIR process be completed first," he said.
He further said that the notification process related to SIR will continue till August 5, and until then, elected representatives and officials are fully occupied with ensuring that eligible voters are not left out of the electoral rolls.
"The notification process will conclude on August 5. Until then, MLAs and officials are engaged in ensuring that eligible voters remain on the electoral rolls in their respective constituencies. Leaders from all political parties are also occupied with this exercise, and we do not want to disturb them," he added.
The Chief Minister added that the Assembly session would be scheduled after the publication of draft rolls. He noted, "After the draft rolls are announced on August 5, I will fix a date for the Assembly session, either in the first or second week of August. Normally, we hold the session in July, but this time it will be held in August. I will announce the exact dates later."
Shivakumar also issued a strong advisory regarding the mandatory submission of Enumeration Forms, stating that failure to comply could result in deletion of names from electoral rolls.
"Please remember that everyone has to submit the Enumeration Form by July 29. I especially want to caution members of the media: if you do not submit and sign the form, your name may not remain on the electoral roll. Do not assume that just because you have been a voter for 40 or 50 years, your name will automatically remain," Shivakumar said.
He stressed that all voters must comply with the process, adding that family members could submit forms on behalf of those absent due to work commitments. "Everyone must sign and submit the Enumeration Form. If a voter is away from home for work, the head of the family can submit the form on their behalf," the CM added.
He also clarified the role of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in the distribution process and warned against unauthorised involvement of political workers.
"The BLOs are required to deliver the forms door-to-door. No MLA or political party worker is authorised to distribute these forms. BLOs must visit each household and make three attempts if the voter is unavailable. Political parties may assist through their Booth Level Agents (BLAs), but the actual distribution of forms must be done only by the BLOs," Shivakumar said.
Reiterating the revised schedule for the Assembly session, Shivakumar said the House will now meet in August instead of July, and the exact dates will be announced later.
Shivakumar further informed the creation of a new department to address public grievances called the Department of Public Service (Praja Seva Department).
"We are creating a new department to address public grievances. The responsibility for this department will be entrusted to a minister. It will be called the Department of Public Service (Praja Seva Department)," he said.