Replying to K J Bopaiah ( BJP) and A T Ramaswamy (JD-S) during question hour, Prakash informed the House that already the Chief Minister had held three rounds of meetings with both Lokayukta as well as Upa Lokayukta on giving more powers. “We are serious about bringing in an amendment to the Karnataka Lokayukta Act. If it’s not possible to bring in an amendment in the current session itself, an ordinance will be promulgated”, he stated.
54 officers
Earlier when Prakash said that during the last three years the Lok Ayukta had conducted raids on the premises of only 54 officers and registered cases against them and of these investigation is underway in 53 cases, some members expressed their dissatisfaction over the functioning of Lokayukta. “It is evident that there is an inordinate delay in filing charge sheets”, they added. The B report has been filed in one case. Ramaswamy charged that the staff in the office of Lokayukta was collecting bribes from various government departments.
R Roshan Baig (Cong) flayed the Lokayukta for not conducting raids on top bureaucrats, ministers and legislators. “The lokayukta conducts raids only on petty officials. What message does it convey?”, he asked.
Speaker Krishna assured the members as the issue required a detailed debate, he would allow for half an hour discussion.