K'taka passes amendment to Lokayukta Act

Bengaluru: The functioning of the Lokayukta as an organisation came under scrutiny of some Karnataka legislators, with a Congress MLA claiming it has become a “toothless body” and seeking a comprehensive law to strengthen it, as the Assembly on Tuesday passed an amendment to the Lokayukta Act.

As the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy moved the Karnataka Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2020 for the consideration of the House, senior Congress legislator and former Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar questioned the effectiveness of Lokayukta.

Pointing out that earlier there was state vigilance commission which was replaced by Lokayukta during Ramakrishna Hegde”s tenure as Chief Minister, he asked, “is there any use because of Lokayukta? is there any qualitative change? the purpose for which this institution was created, has it served the purpose?” He asked as to what was the “net result”, after Lokayukta took up several cases of corruption, and also wanted to know was there any value based change.

“A few people have refused to file their assets and liabilities before Lokayukta, which is mandatory for public servants. Is it to rehabilitate someone?” he asked, as he appealed to the government to go in for a drastic law to achieve the intended objectives, which the whole country should appreciate. Further claiming that Lokayukta as such has become a “toothless body”, Ramesh Kumar said the Lokayukta as an individual is an efficient man, but law should enable him.

JD(S) legislator H D Revanna asked as to how many cases were before the Lokayukta and on how many cases action have been taken.

Congress legislator Eshwar Khandre pointing out that thousands of cases were pending before Lokayukta, asked in what timeframe they will be disposed, and it has to be discussed.

JD(S) legislator Shivalinge Gowda said, quality has to be maintained while appointing staff and officers to Lokayukta so sanctity of the institution is upheld.

The assembly on Tuesday passed the Karnataka Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2020, to further amend the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984 to enable the organisation to function more effectively.

It provides for referring or transferring of cases or complaints or matters to Upalokayuktas, if in the opinion of Lokayukta he being disabled to hear or consider or in any manner to deal with or dispose such cases for the reasons to be recorded in writing.

The assembly also passed the Karnataka Regulation of Pay and Pension of Teachers in Higher Education Institutions Bill, 2020.

The bill that replaced the ordinance promulgated earlier aims to regulate pay, pension and pensionary benefits admissible to teachers working in government colleges, universities established by the law and in government aided higher educational institutions under the control of the State government.