Buckling under tremendous pressure from Opposition parties both the BJP and the JD(S), the Congress Government in Karnataka has agreed for a comprehensive amendment to the lokayukta Act 1984 to regulate the functioning of the anti-corruption watchdog or even give the legislature power to remove a ‘corrupt’ or ‘inefficient’ lokayukta.
Even though Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa did not allow an impeachment motion against lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao, the Government agreed to a comprehensive amendment to lokayukta Act. law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister TB Jayachandra announced in the Assembly on Tuesday that the withdrawal of the amendment he proposed to table and said he would table a comprehensive Bill in the ongoing Monsoon Session of the legislature which resumes in Bengaluru on July 13.
“As per your (Opposition) wishes, I will table a comprehensive legislation in Bengaluru session and the Government hereby withdraws the current amendment,’’ he announced to the cheers of the Opposition members. Meanwhile, the State Government withdrew the Karnataka lokayukta (Amendment) Bill 2015 that mooted amendment to the 1984 Act making it compulsory for the lokayukta to submit a consolidated report every year on the performance of his functions and that of Upalokayukta under this act to the Governor.
Opposition leader of the BJP Jagdish Shettar welcomed the decision to withdraw the Amendment Bill and table a comprehensive legislation to amend the present Act, but alleged that the Government was safeguarding the present lokayukta and targeting Opposition leaders by hoisting criminal cases using the lokayukta office.