Karnataka Excise Minister and Hassan district in-charge minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda has faced criticism after making comments about citizens giving money to government officials who complete their work on time. The remarks were made during a public grievance meeting in Sakleshpur, Hassan district, on September 19.
Gowda reportedly said there was nothing wrong with citizens willingly offering a “tip” or “honorarium” to officials who complete their work properly and on time, as long as officials do not demand money. His comments immediately drew objections from people attending the meeting.
A farmer from Alur who was present at the meeting questioned why citizens should give money to government employees when officials already receive salaries. Other people at the venue supported the objection, leading to a heated exchange and disruption during the meeting.
The comments were widely interpreted by critics as potentially encouraging unofficial payments to public servants. A video of the remarks was also circulated on social media, leading to further criticism and a political controversy.
Gowda later attempted to clarify his statement. He said his intention was to encourage people to respect and appreciate officials who perform their duties honestly and on time. He denied that he was asking people to pay bribes and said his remarks had been misunderstood.
Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Latha Kumari also intervened during the incident to calm the situation. She said the minister’s remarks had been misunderstood and stated that strict action would be taken against officials who demand bribes from citizens for carrying out their duties.
The remarks also drew criticism from the opposition BJP. BJP MLC C.T. Ravi questioned the minister’s comments and contrasted them with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s earlier public statements urging citizens to report officials who demand bribes.
The controversy has renewed discussion about the difference between appreciating public servants and making unofficial payments for government services. Government employees are expected to perform their duties as part of their official responsibilities, while demands for illegal payments can raise serious corruption concerns.
The incident has also highlighted the importance of clear communication by public officials, particularly during public grievance meetings. Gowda’s subsequent clarification shows that he intended to speak about recognising honest officials, while critics have focused on the wording of his original remarks.
The controversy is likely to keep attention on how government departments handle complaints about bribery and how officials communicate with citizens seeking public services.