Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Nov 22: It was a virtual deluge of complaints at the public grievance redressal meet held by Karnataka Lokayukta justice Y Bhaskar Rao and Registrar of Lokayukta H R Deshpande on Saturday, November 22 at Atal Bihari Vajipayee auditorium, Rajatadri.
Most of the disputes were based on land encroachment, stone and sand mining, violation of regulations, floating petitions, NOC (conversion of land) and malpractices in government administration.
One of the beneficiaries of Varahi project complained that her land had been encroached by the Varahi project planner. If the project work was implemented, the land would become useless and she might lose her valuable property, said the complainant. She further informed that she asked for explanation from PWD but she has not yet received any response from PWD. Replying to her plea, Lokayukta forwarded her case to DC for spot inspection.
Irrespective of waste management at Kolambe, Brahmavar issue came to public discussion put forward by applicant Benet D’silva. Locals have been suffering from mismanagement of waste in the locality for more than six years. The panchayat has not showed any alternative solution even after receiving Rs 20 lac of grants by government for waste management. Justice Y Bhaskar Rao gave two months to the department concerned to dispose the waste.
There were 4,566 cases yet to be attended by Lokayukta court. It has received 2,269 complaints till November 19, 2014. In total, 712 cases have been attended out of 6,123 cases during his tenure as Lokayukta which Bhaskar assumed from February 14, 2013.
In all, 30 cases have been sent to government for decision and 154 cases have been filed under violation of rules by the officials.
In all, 385 trapped cases, 167 raid cases, 297 other cases had been documented in the Lokayukta court. Rs 183,48,11,218 was recovered in the form of moveable property, Rs 62,37,07,878 in the form of immoveable assets, Rs 11,44,70,140 recovered through gold and silver, and Rs 4,49,76,909 as cash. In total, the department has collected Rs 2,61,76,67,147.
Justice Y Bhaskar Rao told the officials, “This is not the right attitude which you have shown when in power to public. Being a governmental official, do not harass the poor people”.
Replying to mining mafia, he said when Lokayukta officials get complaints about illegal mining, they will take immediate action against it.
The Lokayukta received 45 petitions on November 22 and 16 cases have been dissolved on the spot.
Kumar ADC, R Vishal district commissioner, SP Rajendra Prasad and Gopalakrishna Rai among others were present.