Lok Ayukta bemoans govt inaction

BANGALORE: The government has put in cold storage reports of serious misconduct by public servants while discharging their duty and not taken any disciplinary action, Lok Ayukta, Justice N Santhosh Hedge, said on Thursday. He was speaking at a P G C Chengappa Memorial Lecture, `Lok Ayukta - Powers, Prerogatives and Restrictions', organized by Lahiri Advocates Forum at the high court.
"Lok Ayukta is an institution similar to a toothless tiger.The suo moto power once vested with the Lok Ayukta to investigate allegations against senior officers was withdrawn, while the Upa Lok Ayukta has such powers against lower-level officers,'' said Hegde, referring to the Lok Ayukta's inability to take on higher ranking officers.
Speaking about several other restrictions, Hegde said even though they raid a house or office of an officer who either demands or accepts bribes, the Lok Ayukta needs to obtain sanction under Section 19 of the corruption prevention Act to prosecute the public servant. The Supreme Court has also specified in several cases that the sanction is automatic in the case of public servants committing an offence. "When I took over as Lok Ayukta, there were about 102 cases, including some against senior officers, but the government has not given sanction to prosecute them. This has become a major hindrance in prosecuting corrupt officers,'' Hegde added.
Hegde stated he had held an enquiry in 2006 with respect to two ministers for defaulting in filing statements of assets and liabilities. Though the complaint was proved and removal of ministers recommended, the government had rejected the recommendation. Hegde said though he has been requesting the government to make amendments to the Karnataka Lok Ayukta Act conferring power to initiate suo moto powers, not much has been done in this regard.