Bangalore: CM Agrees to Empower Lokayuka - CM, Ministers, MLAs, Spared
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Jul 10: During his reply to the debate on illegal mining on Friday July 9, Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa, announced that the government has taken a decision to vest additional powers to the Lokayukta as per his demand. The ten-point formula worked out by the government has received the cabinet nod, he disclosed.
The government has now given the Lokayukta and the Upa Lokayukta, powers to take suo motu action against corrupt officials. While they can act on the basis of complaints on deficiency of service or public complaint, they have to mention reasons for taking action before moving against the concerned suo motu, he said.
While the posts of the state chief secretary, additional chief secretary and principal secretary have been brought under the ambit of the Lokayukta, Chief Minister, ministers, members of the legislature, and public servants nominated by the government will remain off limits for the Lokayukta institution.
As per the new policy, whenever the post of the Upa Lokayukta is vacant, the Lokayukta can use the former’s powers. The government also has agreed to vest the powers in case of those victims of corruption who are rendered unable to file a complaint, or in case they are unable to follow up their complaint, to pursue the complaint, with their heirs.
The Chief Minister announced that the vacant post of Upa Lokayukta will be filled within a week. The Chief Minister also said that the demand for additional staff to the Lokayukta has been met with the posting of 29 additional employees to it.
In normal course, the Lokayukta has powers to move against those whose income is Rs 20,000and above, whereas the people having less income than that limit fall under the purview of the Upa Lokayukta.