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.
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.
As the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy moved the Karnataka Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2020 for the consideration of the House, senior Congress legislator and former Speaker KR 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.