Bengaluru: With the Lokayukta corruption crisis raging, the Congress government is contemplating bringing major amendments to the Karnataka Lokayukta Act that may ease the stringent conditions in the present Act for removing or impeaching the Lokayukta. The amendment bill is likely to be introduced in the Bengaluru leg of the legislature session.
The government had introduced a bill in Belagavi making it mandatory for Lokayukta to give annual reports on spending and its works. But following suggestions made by members, the government agreed to introduce a comprehensive bill.
A highly placed source in the government told Deccan Chronicle that the home department, chief minister's office and law department are working on areas to be covered under the amendments in view of the present crisis. “Just like the way the Lokayukta wants legislators to be transparent, the government too wants the Lokayukta to be transparent, like submitting the report once a year, instead of once in three years as is the practice now, and giving.
Reporters details of raids and other information like the money spent. The new Act will cover all these areas," the sources explained. Asked whether the amendment would cover the issue of impeachment of the Lokayukta too, the sources replied in the affirmative. "Since we are facing the present situation, we have to decide whether we should change the conditions for the removal of the Lokayukta. We are discussing all these issues. But till we reach a stage where we present the draft to the cabinet, we cannot give details of the changes that will be incorporated."
It has to be seen whether the government would concede to the long pending demand of former Lokayuktas and civil society or the the Lokayukta would be granted suo motu powers to prosecute government employees including IAS officers without obtaining sanction.
