Date:28/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/28/stories/2007122857050700.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

When the Lokayukta meant business

Raghava M.

Bangalore: Continuing its crackdown against corrupt officials and forcing legislators to provide proper details of their assets have been the highlights of the Lokayukta action in 2007. The Lokayukta succeeded in providing relief to those with grievances.

The year started with the Lokayukta police filing the long pending charge sheets against 110 government officials for allegedly accepting bribe and amassing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. These 110 officials were those against whom the Government had not given sanction for Lokayukta prosecution. “We continue to persuade the department heads concerned to give sanction,” Additional Director-General of Police (Lokayukta) R.K. Datta said. Till November, the Lokayukta police had filed charge sheets in 130 cases.

Legislators were forced to file their assets after Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde recommended removal of two Ministers Alkod Hanumanthappa and Sharanabasappa Darshanapur from the H.D. Kumaraswamy-led Cabinet for failure to submit mandatory declaration of assets and liabilities.

Though his recommendation was not acted upon, Mr. Hegde followed this with a warning to legislators.

Though 2007 was a good year, Mr. Hegde said there were moments of disappointment, failure and frustration. “We are not seeing the same desire to tackle corruption from those outside our institution whose help is necessary,” Mr. Hegde said.

Positive steps

The former Chief Secretary A. Ravindra said that despite limitations the Lokayukta had taken positive steps in checking corruption. “But the Lokayukta cannot undertake this task alone. People should come forward in filing complaints,” he said.