Karnataka gives more teeth to LokAyukta

Amendment to enable investigation on all public servants except chief ministers, ministers, MLAs.

The Karnataka government is all set to give more powers to Lokayukta (ombudsman) Santosh Hegde. A week after he announced his decision to withdraw his resignation, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Friday said the Lokayukta will have powers to take up cases without waiting for any complaint.

“It is proposed to give suo-motu powers to Lokayukta to investigate all public servants except the chief minister, ministers, members of legislature and public servants nominated by the government,” Yeddyurappa announced in the state assembly.

Giving his reply to Opposition charges on illegal mining and exports of iron ore, the chief minister said the government will amend column 7(1) and (2) of Karnataka Lokayukta Act to make it compulsory for the Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta to record in writing the grievance or the allegation on which they want to start suo-motu investigation before undertaking such investigation.

At present, the Lokayukta is not empowered to discharge the duties of Upa-Lokayukta when the post of Upa-Lokayukta is vacant. To rectify this, it is proposed to amend Column 7(4) empowering the Lokayukta to discharge the duties of Upa-Lokayukta when the post of Upa-Lokayukta is vacant, he said.

The government has also proposed to amend Column 9(1) to enable their legal heirs to give complaints or to continue the given complaints in the event of the aggrieved persons not being able to give complaints or pursue their complaints.

The Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta are required to provide the copy of the complaint to the public servant concerned and the competent authority concerned before starting an investigation.