'Corruption can nullify benefits of development'

At loggerheads with the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on the issue of corruption, Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj today warned people against any complacency in rooting out scams while lauding the Lokayukta for doing his best in cleansing the system.

“Eternal vigilance is the price we have to pay for the success of democracy,” he said in his Republic Day address at the Manekshaw Parade ground here.

“Corruption is antithesis to the rule of law and good governance. It can nullify the benefits of development,” said Bhardwaj, who recently sanctioned prosecution of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurppa on allegations of corruption. Yeddyurappa, whose government has been mounting a blistering attack on the Governor, was also present at the function. He, however, left the venue soon after Bhardwaj completed his customary address. “When the country is looking forward to taking a seat at the high table in the world fora, we cannot afford to have this glaring deficiency in our system,” he said and lauded the office of the Lokayukta for trying its best to deal with corruption in the system.

He said, “In order to root out corruption, society will have to participate in this effort in a sustained manner to achieve any visible success.”

“We have a very informed, enlightened and vigilant civil society. But we cannot afford to be complacent in order to secure sustained development,” he said.

“Maintenance of law and order is a pre-requisite for any orderly development,” he said.

“I am happy that the state remained peaceful through out the year without any major incident and I congratulate the people and the police for maintaining peace,” he said.