The Hindu

Empower the institution to help conduct prosecution for corruption: Santosh Hegde 

Bangalore, Aug 4: Lok Ayukta N Santosh Hegde has urged the Government to set up special Lok Ayukta courts and empower the institution to conduct prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, besides conferring suo motu powers on the legal authority.

These additional features would go a long way in strengthening the institution and reinforcing the fight against corruption, he said. He was speaking at his maiden press conference after being sworn in by the Governor here on Thursday.

Setting up special courts on the lines of CBI special courts to try corruption cases would help in avoiding the delay in adjudication, Justice Hegde said.

Reiterating his predecessor's demand for suo motu powers for the Lok Ayukta, Justice Hegde said it was necessary since people might hesitate to lodge complaints against powerful public servants.

Although the Upa Lok Ayukta had suo motu powers, his jurisdiction was limited, Justice Hegde added.

Justice Hegde said he would adopt a different approach to fight corruption and bring in good governance. "It is not possible for the Lok Ayukta to inspect each and every office in the State. The work will be done by officers and my duty is to supervise them," he said.

He said that he would visit places across the State not to inspect government offices, but to check whether the Lok Ayukta personnel were discharging their duty properly. He would hear public grievances in this regard, Justice Hegde said.

Justice Hegde said that his priority would be to create awareness among people and the target group would be school children and the youth.

"When people are aware of their rights and fight for them, the Government has no option but to provide good governance," he said. On the reported differences between his predecessor and the Upa Lok Ayukta Patri Basavanagoud, Justice Hegde said they did not have any difference of opinion.