Karnataka has directed departments facing shortages of field inspectors to engage authorised third-party agencies for scheduled inspections, audits and certifications, in a move aimed at clearing backlogs in regulatory checks without transferring statutory enforcement powers from the government.
The order, issued on Wednesday by Harsha Gupta, Principal Secretary of the Department of Praja Seva, initially covers departments where staff shortages have delayed routine field inspections. It follows recommendations of the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission-2 and requires departments to prepare time-bound plans for implementing the new system.
The departments identified include Legal Metrology, which conducts annual inspections and stamping of weights and measuring instruments; the Food Safety and Drugs Administration, which inspects food businesses, restaurants, medical stores and pharmacies; and the Department of Factories and Boilers, which carries out safety inspections and annual certification of industrial boilers.
Under the arrangement, private agencies will submit inspection, audit and certification reports to the relevant departments. Government officials will use those findings to identify establishments requiring closer scrutiny, including high-risk businesses and facilities. The stated objective is to complete regulatory checks within stipulated timelines despite shortages in departmental field staff.
The order keeps core enforcement powers with government officials. The collection of food and drug samples, seizure of goods and prosecution will remain the exclusive responsibility of statutory authorities, according to the official release cited in the report. The agencies will therefore support inspection and reporting functions but will not independently exercise these enforcement powers.
The government has prescribed safeguards to check the quality and accountability of outsourced inspections. Departmental officials will conduct random spot checks to verify the accuracy of reports submitted by private agencies. Agencies found responsible for negligence, irregularities or other lapses may face strict action, including blacklisting.
The departments must submit action plans covering the process for empanelling agencies, eligibility criteria and measures for early implementation. These plans are also expected to define how the participating agencies will be selected and monitored. The system will be reviewed at the Karnataka Development Programme progress review meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary.
The decision places the immediate responsibility for implementation on the departments concerned, while preserving government control over enforcement outcomes. Its operation will depend on the eligibility and empanelment framework prepared by each department, along with the random verification checks prescribed in the order.
