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 and completing regulatory checks within stipulated timelines. The decision, announced through an official release on Wednesday, will initially cover departments where vacancies and staff shortages have delayed routine inspections.
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.
The order allows private agencies to undertake specified inspection-related work, but makes clear that statutory enforcement powers will remain with government officials. Powers to collect food and drug samples, seize goods and initiate prosecution will not be transferred to the agencies, according to the release.
Government officials will use reports and audit findings submitted by the agencies to identify establishments requiring closer scrutiny. This is intended to enable more targeted enforcement while allowing routine checks to be completed despite shortages in field staff. The order does not specify the number of pending inspections or the number of agencies that will be empanelled.
The arrangement also includes safeguards for monitoring the quality and accuracy of private inspections. Departmental officials will conduct random spot checks to verify the reports submitted by the agencies. Agencies found responsible for negligence, irregularities or lapses may face strict action, including blacklisting, the government said.
The departments concerned have been asked to prepare time-bound action plans covering the empanelment process, eligibility criteria and measures for early implementation. These plans are expected to set out how agencies will be selected and how their work will be reviewed by the departments retaining statutory authority.
The implementation will also be reviewed at the Karnataka Development Programme progress review meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary. The order was issued by Harsha Gupta, Principal Secretary, Department of Praja Seva, following recommendations from the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission-2. Gupta has directed the principal secretaries of all departments to prepare the necessary action plans.
The decision places responsibility for enforcement with government departments while using external agencies to address the operational gap in routine field inspections. Its immediate test will be whether the departments can empanel qualified agencies, verify their reports consistently and reduce inspection backlogs without weakening the safeguards attached to public safety and statutory enforcement.
