Minister Kharge launches WhatsApp chat service for citizens to access gram panchayat facilities
Bengaluru: In a novel attempt in India, people in rural areas of Karnataka are being provided an online chat service on WhatsApp to get information on the set-up and various services provided by all the gram panchayats in the state, with Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge launching the program at his office in the Vidhana Soudha on Friday.
"The citizens may use the new online service to file their complaints on 78 issues related to shortage of drinking water supply, poor quality of roads and bridges, implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and Panchayat Raj, among others. They may also keep a watch on the handling of these issues by the government departments," explained Kharge.
This is the first time that such an online chat service is being provided to the gram panchayat areas in India. The citizens may get access to the facility through mobile phone number 8277506000. They may use the service to submit application forms for various services, keep track of the submitted forms and also file complaints related to their problems, said the Panchayat Raj Department authorities.
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Bengaluru: Four arrested for housebreaking, threats, extortion; fake PSI among accused
Bengaluru: Vidyaranyapura police have arrested four persons, including a man posing as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), for allegedly breaking into a house, threatening the occupants, and extorting money while wearing police uniforms.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mallikarjuna, Pramod, Vinay, and Hrithik.
Police said the accused had hatched a plan to pose as police personnel, conduct fake raids, and extort money from residents by intimidation.
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According to the police, Mallikarjuna had failed the PSI examination twice and later falsely projected himself as a PSI. He allegedly conducted photo shoots in his hometown, Siraguppa, wearing a police uniform, baton, cap, and shoes, claiming to be serving as a PSI in Bengaluru.
On December 7, the four accused allegedly went to the house of Naveen in the Vidyaranyapura limits, threatened him with a stick and an iron rod, and claimed they had information that he was selling ganja. Under the pretext of searching, they allegedly extorted ₹87,000 through bank transfer, ₹53,000 in cash kept in the house, and ₹2,000 from his wallet.
Following Naveen’s complaint, Vidyaranyapura police registered a case and launched an operation, leading to the arrest of all four accused. Police have seized ₹45,000 in cash and the car used to commit the crime.
Further investigation is underway.
