Bengaluru, Jul 23 (DHNS): The State government is contemplating restricting the institution of the Lokayukta to only tackling corruption in the government and among public servants, while taking away any provision to check maladministration.

The government is likely to table the Karnataka Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the legislature on Thursday which among others provides for simplifying the procedure for removal of the anti-corruption watchdog.

At the same time, the government is considering bringing in a clause to restrict the Lokayukta from tackling maladministration in the government and its institutions. For instance, the clause will restrict the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta from conducting checks on the functioning of hospitals or any other line-departments of the government, sources in the State secretariat said.

Previous Lokayuktas N Venkatachala and Santhosh Hegde hogged limelight when they visited hospitals, departments to monitor their functioning. Sources said the government wants the Lokayukta to focus on its primary task - tackling corruption.

Section (6) pertaining to removal of the Lokayukta will be amended to make it simpler. One-third members of any of the two Houses of the legislature can petition the presiding officers that the Lokayukta be removed on charges of misconduct. The presiding officers, after scrutinising the petition, can refer it to the chief justice of Karnataka High for further inquiry.

The interesting part is once the petition is referred to the chief justice, the Lokayukta can perform day-to-day functions till the inquiry is complete. If the chief justice recommends removal of the Lokayukta and both the Houses will have to pass a resolution with full majority. The resolution of the legislature is sent to the Governor who can issue orders for the removal of the Lokayukta.

The government is revisiting the Act 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.