Implement report on illegal mining soon: Lokayukta

Speaking to mediapersons on Tuesday, Justice Patil said it was incorrect to blame the State for inaction on the report on illegal mining. The State government has already constituted a committee headed by additional chief secretary to undertake a detailed study of the report, that had named over 700 officials in illegal mining in the State.

“Though the State has three months time to implement the report, it need not wait for that long. I hope the State acts on the report soon,” Justice Patil said.

When asked whether the CBI, which is investigating illegal mining in Andhra Pradesh, had contacted the Karnataka Lokayukta seeking any assistance, Justice Patil replied in the negative. The CBI officers, however, have sought a copy of the report on illegal mining in Karnataka, which has been made available to them, he added.

In order to ensure speedy, efficient and transparent functioning, the Lokayukta will go the e-way soon. Steps will be taken to intimate complainants about the status of their complaints through e-mail, the Lokayukta said.

“When I assumed office, the number of cases pending, for lack of competent authority, was 125. However, in the past one month it has come down to 95 cases. I have written a letter to the Chief Secretary directing him to obtain the Lokayukta’s permission before reinstating a suspended officer,” said the Lokayukta.

Half of SP posts vacant

Half of the posts of the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Lokayukta in the State have remained vacant and incidentally most of them are in north Karnataka.

The Lokayukta usually appoints one SP for two to three districts and for the whole of north Karnataka, there is only one SP posted in Dharwad.

The matter came up during the media briefing by Lokayukta Justice Shivaraj Patil.
He said out of 22 posts of SPs for 30 districts in the State, 11 posts including that for Gulbarga, which also has under it Bidar and Yadgir districts, have remained vacant.

The Lokayukta pointed out that of the 22 SP posts, the Lokayukta could appoint IPS officers in only two posts and the remaining appointments had to be made through Karnataka State Police Service (KSPS).

Justice Patil added that promotion of Deputy SPs was due and Lokayukta would choose officers known for their honesty and integrity when the promotion list is announced by the government.