Bengaluru, Jul 21 (DHNS): The State Cabinet on Monday evening is understood to have decided to bring in amendments to the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984, to simplify the process of removal of Lokayukta from the post.

According to sources, the Cabinet deliberated on bringing in amendments to the present legislation so that the Lokayukta could be removed if one-third of members of each of the two Houses submit a signed petition to the presiding officers that the anti-corruption watchdog be removed on charges of misconduct.

The presiding officers of the two Houses would then forward the petition to the Governor. The Governor in turn will decide on the removal of the Lokayukta in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, the sources added.

The provisions in the present Act for removal of the Lokayukta is a lengthy and time-consuming and does not have much clarity. The Cabinet decision to revisit the Act comes in the wake of the public outcry that the present Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao should quit in the wake of accusations of corruption against his son Y Ashwin.

The Cabinet also learnt to have discussed whether comprehensive amendments could be brought in to the Lokayukta Act on a par with the Lokpal legislation.