CM Praises Santhosh Hegde, But Non-committal on Suo-Motu Powers to Lok Ayukta
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jun 24: Put on the defensive on the eve of his regime’s `Sadhana Samavesha’ (achievements convention) to mark the completion of two-year of Karnataka’s first-ever BJP government by the state’s Lok Ayukta Justice K Santhosh Hegde in submitting the resignation letter to governor H R Bhardhwaj, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa did a clever damage-control exercise of praising the Lok Ayukta and passing the blame to his predecessors on the issue of granting suo-motu powers.
Yeddyurappa, who spent nearly two hours in a meet-the-press programme jointly organized by the Press Club of Bangalore and the Bangalore Reporters’ Guild, had come well prepared to defend the Government on the Lok Ayukta issue and offered a point-by-point answer to the various points raised by Justice Hegde in his news conference last night after submitting the resignation letter to the Governor. He, however, left no one in doubt that the Government is not interested in trying to pacify Justice Hegde and persuade him to stay on.
The chief minister also attacked the opposition Congress and JD(S) for their dog-in-the-manger attitude. ``Criticise the government in the harshest language if we commit any mistakes or lapses and fail in our duties. But please don’t criticize us for the sake of criticism. Try to behave as the constructive opposition. We have received the people’s mandate to rule the state for five years. You can compare our performance of two years with the past performance of any government during the last 10 years or earlier. I am ready for a debate on any issue. But please allow us to function for the remaining three years,’’ he said.
"I have the highest respect and regard for Justice Hegde. I have followed his career and admire him for his integrity, honesty and hard-work. Just as the people love and trust him, the government also respects him,” Yeddyurappa said, adding: ``The resignation is totally unexpected and most unfortunate coming as it did on the eve of the Government’s Sadhana Samavesha on Friday (June 25) and the Legsislature session commencing on June 28. I am deeply hurt and pained by the entire episode.”
Suo-Motu Issue Pending Since 24 Years
The chief minister said that he had faced several challenges and tests of fire (agni parikshe) in the last two years. ``I will take this issue also as an agni parikshe,” he said making it clear that it was unfortunate to blame him or his government on the issue of granting suo-motu powers. I have not withdrawn or curtailed any powers of the Lok Ayukta,” he declared.
Yeddyurappa said the grant of suo motu powers to Lok Ayukta was pending since 1986, when the powers were withdrawn. "I have an open mind on the issue. We are examining all the pros and cons and will take a decision at the appropriate time. I cannot spell out a definite time-frame as to when it will be done. The issue has been pending since 24 years. Successive governments had formed cabinet sub-committees to examine the issue all these years. How can I say when we will be able to take a decision?,” he asked.
Clarifying that he had shown the utmost courtesy and respect to Lok Ayukta whenever he had the opportunity to meet Justice Hegde and had never spoken lightly or disparagingly either inside or outside the Legislature. ``In fact, the last meeting we had with Justice Hegde with chief secretary S V Ranganath in Vidhana Soudha was held in the most cordial atmosphere. Though the government is following the austerity drive, I had consented to the demands put forth by the Lok Ayukta,” he said.
A government order (G.O.) was on issued for the filling up of 292 posts on May 14, 2010. The Lok Ayukta police were given a special additional allowance of 15 % as asked by Justice Hegde. Another G.O. was issued on April 4, 2010 for grant of bus passes to Lok Ayukta staff and the post of Registrar was also merged as requested by Justice Hegde, the chief minister said.
However, Yeddyurappa conceded that the Upa Lok Ayukta’s post has been vacant since six months and steps are being taken to fill it up. But the post was vacant for nearly 13 months from January 22, 1991 to February 12, 1992, and from April 1, 2002 to December 29, 2004 for two years and eight months, when nobody bothered about it, he said little realizing that it was his party which was in the opposition then.
Seized Iron Ore at Bilikere Port
On the issue of the alleged illegal export of 5 lakh tones out of the 8 lakh tones of iron ore seized and kept at Bilikere port in Uttara Kannada district, he said an inquiry has been initiated. The port officer concerned has been suspended and the state government has written to the Centre to take appropriate action against the customs officer who was responsible. In addition, the government has directed that the 10 companies, which were involved in the scandal and whose iron stocks had been seized, shall not lift the ore till the completion of the inquiry. The government has not revoked the suspension of the Karwar district forest officer, who has filed an affidavit in the high court for his continuation, he said mentioning that the Lok Ayukta’s suggestion that the officers suspended after raids should not be reinstated or posted in the same post has been accepted immediately and even a G.O. has been issued.
The chief minister also clarified that the Fisheries and Ports Minister Krishna Palemar had not written to the Lok Ayukta against the suspension or for the release of the seized iron ore as alleged in the media and offered to release copies of the letter. ``I will place all these and more details during the ensuing legislature session,” he said sarcastically remarking that the Lok Ayukta has provided a ready subject for the opposition parties to embarrass the government during the legislature session as they were struggling to find any material to criticize and attack the government.
Delay in Shelter for Flood Victims
Yeddyurappa confessed that there was a delay in the permanent rehabilitation of the flood-affected people of north Karnataka due to circumstances beyond the control of the government. ``I am committed to providing permanent shelter to the flood-affected people. The government has already acquired 5,000 acres of land. Layouts have been prepared and construction of houses has been started. We will complete the entire exercise in the next six months or at the most within one year," he said claiming that his government taken steps to provide permanent houses worth Rs 1.25 lakh and providing 30 x 40 or 30 x 50 sites.
He accused the opposition Congress and JD(S) of inciting the people of north Karnataka by misleading them and took them to task for staying away from the the all-party delegations led by him to meet the Prime Minister and other central leaders to seek financial assistance. ``When the Prime Minister, Home Minister and UPA chairperson chose to visit the flood affected people, these opposition parties stayed away and declined to join the government's efforts," he said wondering: ``Do they have any moral right to ciriticise the Government?"
The chief minister also attacked Congress opposition leader Siddaramaiah and other leaders for keeping off the Global Investors' Meet, which was attended by Central ministers from the state like Veerappa Moily and Mallikarjuna Kharge, and the Prime Minister and Home Minister had expressed their appreciation at Karnataka's initiative even as the country and the world was just recovering from the global economic recession.
"These opposition parties which had the privilege for ruling the State for decades and also at the Centre had not done anything when they had the opportunity. Criticising and opposing the government on all issues inside and outside the legislature has become a routine. You have failed when you had the opportunity. Allow me to continue and fulfill my promises in the next three years," he said expressing confidence that the people will support the government and his party. ``The Government will not only complete the three years of its remaining term but BJP will continue in power for more than a decade," he asserted.
He was particularly harsh on Siddaramaiah for spurning the government's invitation to participate in the Sadhana Samavesha. ``We had invited him as the opposition leader in the assembly as this is a government programme to give an account of our performance during the last two years. If he has any grievances, he could have utilised the opportunity to point out the mistakes and give suggestions for corrections. Instead, he says that he is not a `chaprasi' to attend whenever the government invites. I don't want to comment on such rude statements. It is for the people to judge," he added.
No Grama Vastavya
Answering questions, Yeddyurappa confirmed that he would be visiting Bagalkot district on the very next day after the Sadhana Samavesha. ``I will be spending the entire day at an ordinary farmer's residence in Mudhol taluk to study the effectiveness and benefits arising out of organic farming. But I will not be staying there and returning to Bangalore by night," he said pointing out that his visit to the farmer's residence cannot and should not be compared with the much-hyped ``grama vastavya'' (village home-stay) of his predecessor and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy.
"I have decided to visit a farmer's house in each district every month. But no night-stay for me. I don't want to inconvenience the farmers or the officials," he said making it clear that his government had kept its election promises and implemented almost 90 % within the first three months after coming to power.
However, he said his government was not interested in providing unemployment allowance to the rural or urban youth. Instead, the government will take steps to provide jobs. The Global Investors' Meet held this month, which evoked phenomenal response is aimed at development of the entire State and ensuring that the rural youth got jobs in their native place. ``We are giving training and educational facilities besides encouraging the setting up of the industries," Yeddyurappa said.
"I am a farmer’s son and I come from agricultural background. I took the oath in the name of farmers. I will do everything possible to protect the interests of farmers. I am a born fighter. I will never rest till I realise my dream and fulfill the promises," he said declaring that he was committed to Mahatma Gandhi's concept of rural development and creation of Ram Rajya.
Improving the lot of farmers and improving the conditions of villages, providing a farmer-friendly and pro-people government, which fulfills all its promises to the people is my goal. The farmers and agricultural labourers should be able to live a peaceful and happy life. Roads should be improved, schools and education system should improve, healthcare system and power supply should improve with generation of electricity. Farmers should get fertilisers, seeds and other agricultural inputs in time and be assured of remunerative prices for their produce, he said.