Bijapur, Karnataka, Mar 2 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today came down heavily on erring officials and warned that stringent action would be taken against those officials who fail to perform sincerely.

Speaking at a function organised to mark the centenary of Sri Madivaleshwar Swamiji at Dhavalagi village in the district, he said that ''till today, I have been soft with officials. Most of the officers are not discharging their duties promptly. In future, I will be hard with them. Stringent action will be initiated if they fail to give up their lethargy.'' The Chief Minister regretted that the Government had announced construction of six lakh houses under the Ashraya scheme for poor people, but the proposal was yet to take off due to the disinterest shown by officials, who had not even identified the land.

Directing the Deputy Commissioners to take responsibility to solve the problems of the rural masses, Mr Kumaraswamy rued that despite implementing various schemes for the benefit of farmers, suicide cases have not come down.

About the implementation of Fifth Pay Commission recommendations, he said the State Government employees would get best salary.

However, the employees should not only demand enhancement of salary, but also be ready to perform better.

UNI