The Hindu : Corruption: Ministry to seek Lokayukta's assistance

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 23, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Corruption: Ministry to seek Lokayukta's assistance

By Our Staff Correspondent

BELLARY June 22. The Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj will utilise the services of the Lokayukta to fight corruption and irregularities at the grass roots, to give a fillip to implementation of projects.

Addressing presspersons here on Saturday, M.Y. Ghorpade, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, said the department had earlier planned to appoint an Ombudsman to ensure the effective functioning of panchayat raj institutions and proper utilisation of funds. But, after a discussion with the Lokayukta, the idea of having an "Ombudsman" was dropped, and all cases of misappropriation and also complaints were referred to the Lokayukta, he added.

"The Lokayukta has agreed to complete all the inquiries within three months and submit a report.

In this background, and also to encourage the Lokayukta, we have decided to make use of the services of the existing agency instead of creating a new agency," Mr. Ghorpade said.

A Bill for utilising the services of the Lokayukta and providing more fiscal and administrative powers to gram panchayats would be tabled in the next session of the Assembly, he added.

To a question, he said that as per the provisions, the Lokayukta was empowered to look into complaints against non-officials, provided a complaint was lodged.

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