Government apathy prompts Karnataka Lokayukta to seek Governor’s help

BENGALURU: As the government failed to take action against 48 corrupt officials, the Lokayukta has sent a report to the Governor seeking action against them. Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao said the anti-corruption agency had recommended action against 48 bureaucrats, after they were charged under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act in disproportionate assets case and other irregularities.

“As the government has not taken action against those officials, I have sent a report to the Governor. The special report has been sent to the Governor under section 12(5) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act 1984, and the Governor would place the same before Legislative Assembly for action,” he said.

However, when he was asked to reveal the names of the officials Mr Rao said the list was not ready with him and he would share the same in a few days. He revealed that former Special Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Ramanjaneya was one among the officials.

Mr Rao, who had held the press conference to give details of the performance of the Lokayukta in the last two years after he took charge, said that 6,836 complaints were disposed. “When I took charge, 4,568 cases were pending and 3,198 complaints have been received so far after I assumed charge. Out of the total 7,766 cases, 6,836 cases have been disposed and 930 are pending. In 13 cases of departmental inquiries, charges were proved and punishment was recommended and 101 DE cases were pending,” Mr Rao said.

Listing other measures taken by Lokayukta, he said that improvement of the function of government schools and colleges, introduction of bio-metric system of attendance for teaching and non-teaching staff in colleges, strict enforcement of RTE Act,  disposal of garbage and parking at KR Market in Bengaluru and streamlining the collection of parking fees in BBMP limits were taken up by the agency.

ATI probe: Adi questions officials

Upalokayukta Subhash Adi visited Administrative Training Institute (ATI) in Mysuru on Tuesday and conducted the inquiry related to the alleged misappropriations of funds by former director general Amita Prasad, during her six-year tenure. Mr Adi has taken up the case following a complaint filed by MLC G. Madhusudan.

As per the complaint filed by Madhusudan, there has been a misappropriation of Rs 379 crore received by ATI, SIRD (State Institute of Rural Deve lopment) and SIUD (State Institute of Urban Develop ment) during Amita Prasad’s tenure. Mr Adi told Deccan Chronicle, “We have already recorded the statements of former ATI DG Rashmi V. Mahesh on April 30. On Tuesday we have inquired present ATI Director General, Deputy Director of ATI and Director of SIRD. The inquiry is in the preliminary stage. Based on the preliminary findings we will take up investigation forward and invite experts in the specific field required,” Mr Adi said.

When asked if Ms Amita Prasad has been issued notice, he said, “We have not yet served one,” he said. Although Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had assured of handing over the case for further investigations, after preliminary inquiry by Additional Chief Secretary, RDPR, Vijaybhaskar, nothing has been done in this regard.  “Since the government failed to take any action, I decided to become a complainant myself,” Madhusudan said.
 
Misappropriations at Palace
 
Mr Adi also conducted inquiry on misappropriation of funds worth over Rs 4 crore related to gold leafing works taken up for the pillars of main darbar hall, private darbar hall and kalyana mantapa at Mysuru Palace during his visit on Tuesday.

Lokayukta thanks informant

Mr Rao also thanked an informant, which last Thursday led to the seizure of cash Rs 36.85 lakh being carried in a vehicle by Chandrashekhar Eligar, Superintendent Engineer of PWD, Dharwad Circle. The cash was being ferried from Dharwad to Bengaluru and seized by Chitradurga Lokayukta police. Investigations later had revealed that Eligar owned 37 acres of land, Rs 58 lakh cash deposit, sites and flats in Bengaluru and Hubballi. He reportedly owned illegal assets worth Rs 3 crore. Mr Rao said that public should come forward and share such information with the Lokayukta.