Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Oct 21: The sincere, conscientious efforts being put in by Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa, towards flood relief operations came in for profuse praise from the Lokayukta, Justice Santosh Hegde. "The Chief Minister has taken several positive steps to tackle the flood situation, like the Padayatras, camping at the flood-affected areas and conducting personal inspections and putting in efforts to coordinate the efforts of the state with the help of the central government. The concern being shown by him is worth appreciating," he said. At the same time, he asked the government officials, intermediate agencies and other organizations involved with the flood relief work, to work wholeheartedly just like the Chief Minister, lest the whole effort will come to naught.

The Lokayukta also expressed his decision to keep an eye on the flood relief works being executed by the government in the flood-affected districts. He will soon hold a meeting with the Upa Lokayukta, Patri Basavanagouda, additional director general of police Rupak Kumar Dutta along with registrar Moosa Kunhi, superintendent of police Madhukar Shetty and other senior officers, to formulate plans in this regard.

The Lokayukta plans to form four teams under the leadership of senior officers and depute them to the flood-hit areas to monitor the implementation aspect of the relief operations, as there are reports that the grants released are not reaching the beneficiaries fully. The Lokayukta has received two complaints each from Hubli and Hungunda taluks, about improper disbursement of relief amount. The Lokayukta gave certain suggestions to the local tahsildars and the superintendent of police over phone, about the handling of these complaints. The Lokayukta is vested with the powers to exercise vigilance over the government programmes, under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Lokayukta Act.

Justice Santosh Hegde said that a meeting is being convened as suggested by the Upa Lokayukta, on Friday. The main aim of the initiatives by the Lokayukta will be to correct the irresponsible officers involved with the flood relief operations, he added.