Pics: Savitha B R
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)

Mangalore, Jan 31: The foundation laying ceremony for the proposed new office of Lokayukta was held near Zilla Panchayath office on Monday January 31.

Justice N Santhosh Hegde, Lokayukta laid the foundation stone. MP Nalin Kumar, deputy speaker Yogish Bhat and ZP chief executive officer Shivashankar were present.A formal programme was held at the Zilla Panchayath Hall later. Santhosh Hegde inaugurated the programme.

Speaking on the occasion Hegde urged the government to provide required number of staff in every district for the smooth functioning of Lokayukta. He also opposed the contrived diversion made in the project proposal wherein the Lokayukta building which was supposed to be built near DC office has been shifted to Zilla Panchayath area.

He said that it may cause inconvenience to people in case of reaching to Lokayukta’s office. Justice Hegde was also unhappy with absent people representatives whose names were printed. He came down severely on indiscipline shown by them.

Pointing out the lack of staffing which has delayed the investigation on many issue of corruption and charge sheets, he demanded government to fulfil the staffing requirement of the institution.He said that the state government has the opinion that Lokayukta is formed to work against the government, thereby showing meagre interest towards the institution without extending its support.

MP Nalin Kumar defended himself during his speech and said that the schedule of political leaders is always busy, and the invitation of foundation laying ceremony was sent to him late, and to others. This might have caused the absence of many guests. He requested the officers to be punctual.Speaking about the deep-rooted corruption cases in the nation, he said only fear of god will make the country free from corruption and added three arms of democracy viz. bureaucracy, judiciary and legislature should be unchained from corruption.

The officials who failed to turn up for the programme are district-in charge minister J Krishna J Palemar, C M Udasi, PWD minister, Justice S B Majage, Capt Ganesh Karnik, MLA U T Khader, MLA Ramanath Rai, MLA Abhayachandra Jain, MLA Mallika Prasad, MLA S Angara, MLA K Vasanth Bangera, Mayor Rajani Duggana.

The students from Teachers training institute, Balmatta sang the prayer song. Moosa Kunhi Nayar Moole, registrar, Office of Karnataka Lokayukta welcomed the gathering. B S Balakrishna, superintendent engineer, PWD delivered the vote of thanks. Manjula Shetty compered the programme.