Mangalore: Fight Against Corruption Should Start from Youngsters - Justice Hegde

Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Jan 17: "Service to people is no more the motto of elected representatives, instead, they have made politics a profession to make money," said Justice N Santhosh Hegde.

He was addressing the staff and students of Lourdes Central School during an interactive programme held at Bejai Church Hall here on Thursday January 17.

The programme was organized as part of Justice Hegde's initiative to bring about a positive change in the minds of youngsters and thereby seek a solution to the problem of corruption dogging the country.  In this regard, Justice Hegde said that he has already visited 562 schools in 6 years, out of which he has interacted with students of 512 schools.

"Corruption in the country has affected growth and economy. The youth and students should play a very active role to fight the menace," he said, "Corruption hurts the integrity of the people, and advesely affects the country and especially the poor people."

"Do not give or take bribe. That is how we can bring about a change. The change should mainly start from youngsters," he said.

He further added, "As far as various scams are concerned, the first scam which surfaced in India after independence was worth Rs 52 lac, in the year 1948, after which the scams kept on increasing." He cited examples of various scams like Bofors Pay Off (1987) worth Rs 64 crore, Indian Bank (1992) worth Rs 1300 crore and several others including the latest Commonwealth Games Scam (2010) worth Rs 70,000 crore.

"Development in the country has not come from the administration, it has come from entrepreneurs and due to the contribution of some individuals," he pointed out.

Commenting on the crores of rupees released by the central government to the state for various schemes, he said Rs 51 crore was unaccounted for in the year 2006-07. "The situation might be the same every year and the poor are mainly affected. As Rajiv Gandhi once said in a speech, out of the total sum given by the government to the poor, only 15 percent actually reaches the poor," he said.

Justice Hegde also shared his experiences as a Lokayukta with the students and said that he has dealt with various cases of corruption in during his tenure, be it in administration, among professionals or others. "Be what you want in life, but be human first," he advised the students.

"Earlier the meaning of democracy was, 'government of the people, by the people and for the people' but now where has this gone? It is a high time for everybody to bring about a change in the system. Instead of taking to streets and fighting, students should speak up, which in turn would benefit you and your family," he added.

Speaking about the Karnataka Lokayukta Act which was passed in the year 1984, he said it is a strong Act which helps in ensuring good governance and prevention of corruption. "The Lokayukta in our state is the best when compared to others but the sad part is that for the past 12 months the state not been under Lokayukta, which shows the attitude towards corruption," he lamented.

"The absence of Lokayukta in the state is mainly because of the approaching elections," he added.

Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, principal and Fr Victor Machado, manager were present.