From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Nov 14: A day after Karnataka BJP President K S Eshwarappa expressed doubts about the utility of the Lokayukta institution following allegations of corruption, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Monday declared that the State Government had no plans to wind up the Lokayukta.

''Just because somebody has made some allegations, institutions like Lokayukta cannot be closed down,” he told reporters after laying foundation stone for a four-lane road work on the national highway near Nelamangala on the city outskirts.

He admitted that there has been criticism about working of the Lokayukta institution in the recent past and some opposition leaders even questioned its existence and its usefulness.

It may be recalled that in response to a reported statement by former Lokayukta S P Madhukar Shetty that corruption was rampant in the anti-corruption watchdog itself, Eshwarappa had suggested to the government to think about its continuance.

Time has come to seriously consider if one needed an institution like Lokayukta and its utility to check corruption. ''I want the government to seek expert opinion on this issue,” Eshwrappa said.

Meanwhile, state Congress chief Dr G Parameshwara opposed winding up of the Lokayukta and wanted the Government to make its position clear to clear the doubts.

The Chief Minister, earlier in the day, paid floral tributes to the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 122nd birth anniversary at the State Secretariat.

Nehru was on November 14, 1889 in Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh and his birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day in the country as he was fond of kids. The country also observes Cooperative Week from November 14.

Sadananda Gowda recalled Nehru family’s contributions to the freedom movement, cooperative movement, non-align movement and parliamentary democracy.

Kannada and Culture Minister Govind M Karjol, MLAs Suresh Gowda, S R Vishwanath, and Chief Secretary S V Ranganath and other dignitaries were present.