On Tuesday, a door-to-door house enumeration exercise commenced across Karnataka as part of the Summary Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. The Election Commission initiated this exercise to create a clean and flawless electoral roll for upcoming elections, ensuring only deserving voters are included. The state government has established comprehensive guidelines for issuing Permanent Residence Certificates (PRCs) and a framework for their timely delivery through digital and decentralised service channels. The Revenue Department aims to create a uniform, transparent, and legally sustainable mechanism for certifying permanent residence, integrating the service with the Karnataka Sakala Services Act, 2011, and existing digital governance platforms.
A PRC will serve as proof of permanent residence in Karnataka, and its issuance will be based on factors such as birth, residence, education, and government service in the state. Deputy Tahsildars, Tahsildars, or other authorised officers will issue these certificates, with appeals and revision petitions to be filed before the Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, respectively. Ahead of the exercise, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar urged eligible voters to participate, warning that failure to submit the enumeration form could result in the loss of voting rights and difficulties in accessing government welfare benefits.
The Karnataka government has set up an extensive support system, including facilitation centres, helplines, and online services, to assist voters during the month-long exercise. Chief Minister Shivakumar emphasized the importance of preserving one’s vote, stating that it is essential for accessing government benefits and exercising the right to live. The exercise, which began on June 30, aims to prepare a clean and flawless electoral roll for the upcoming elections, and the state government is working to ensure a smooth and efficient process.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Sahil Online