The Chief Minister of Karnataka
Vidhana Soudha
Bangalore-560001
Sub: Karnataka calls for empowerment of Lokayukta
Sir,
The resignation of Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde has caused anguish to the members of Mysore Grahakara Parishat and indeed to the citizens of Mysore.
The reason for Justice Santosh Hegde's resignation causes all thinking citizens to question as to why his functioning as Karnataka Lokayukta was systematically hampered by Government of Karnataka by
(1) Not empowering the Lokayukta so that cases of corruption and maladministration detected and investigated may be dealt with expeditiously and firmly, and not appointing an Upalokayukta, thus hobbling the Office of Lokayukta, and
(2) Not prosecuting or not permitting prosecution of officials who were found by the Lokayukta to be guilty of corruption/maladministration, thus weakening the Office of Lokayukta
As citizens view it, this reflects adversely on the functioning of government especially from the point of view of public probity, since it appears as if government is protecting corrupt officials when it should be encouraging honesty and integrity, the example of which should be set at the highest levels of administration. The institution of Lokayukta was created specifically for the purpose of improving the standards of public administration by investigating cases of corruption and other admninistrative faults and defaults, and government should make the maximum best use of this statutory body in the public interest.
In view of the foregoing, we strongly urge you to publicly assure the citizens of Karnataka that you will keep the promise of your election manifesto by fully empowering the Office of Lokayukta, for betterment of the people of Karnataka and for ushering clean governance of our State
Yours faithfully,(Maj Gen S.G.Vombatkere (Retd))
President
Mysore Grahakara Parishat, Mysore
In support of movement Empower Lokayukta of Karnataka