Bangalore, Jul 19, (PTI): Retired Karnataka High Court Judge S B Majage was on Monday sworn as the state's Upa Lokayukta at a brief ceremony in Raj Bhavan here.
The Upa Lokayukta post had been lying vacant for seven months. Lokayukta Santosh Hegde had demanded that the post be filled up and was one of the conditions laid down by him for withdrawing his resignation from the post earlier this month.
Speaking at a function after taking over office, Majage said that he would work "within the ambit of law" and would make sincere and honest effort to check corruption.
He asked aggrieved persons to come forward and lodge complaints if they have been affected by corruption.
Majage described it as "a golden opportunity" given to him to serve people and said he would peruse through all pending files and try and redress grievances of people.
Speaking on the occasion, Hegde said that "it gave him great satisfaction to see that the Upa Lokayukta had been appointed".
The Lokayukta said that there were nearly 7,000 to 8,000 pending cases and nearly 3,500 cases ready to be cleared and awaiting the nod from the Upa Lokayukta.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said that the government as promised had filled in the vacancy of Upa Lokayukta and was confident that it would help strengthen the hands of the institution.