Govt ready to give suo motu powers to Lokayukta

CM will shortly convene a Cabinet meeting on the issue

Replying after a discussion on the issue, he denied the opposition’s charges that he was shielding tainted officers and said he is examining the recommendations made by Lokayukta Justice Santhosh Hegde in this regard and would come to a final decision soon.

Chief  Minister Yeddyurappa assured the House that he will shortly convene a meeting of Cabinet and take the decision on tabling a bill, empowering Lokayukta with powers to prosecute corrupt officials.

If possible, the Government will table the bill in the current session of the Legislature, he added.

Only to bureaucrats

All the members of the Council, however, agreed that the rules should be applicable only to bureaucrats and not politicians. Chief Minister Yeddyurappafurther said Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde had in a letter dated June 21, 2008  asked the Government to bring in an amendment to the section 19 of Prevention of Corruption Act so that he can prosecute tainted officials.

Not only the State government, the Centre should also take steps to prevent corruption among officials.

New law

Hence, the chief minister said that he will write a letter to the Centre requesting it to enact a new law for this purpose.

Earlier, senior leader M C Nanaiah who raised the issue, alleged that the State government is prevaricating over granting of suo motu powers to the Lokayukta.

Due to pressure from bureaucracy, the Government is not giving suo motu powers to Lokayukta, he charged.