Guv seeks details on next Lokayukta

Government not applying its mind while recommending names for the post

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a two-day seminar on oral health at Dayananda Sagar Group of Institutions at Kumaraswamy Layout, the Governor said the government had forwarded the name of Justice Bannurmath, but it had not furnished before him the ‘full material’ about the person who would hold the key post.

“The profile of (Justice) Santosh Hegde was so high that people want the credibility (of the Lokayukta institution) to be maintained. But nobody applied their mind to suggest who among the names forwarded to me is eligible,” he said.

Bhardwaj reminded the government that he was the appointing authority and that he wanted full details about the person to be appointed the Lokayukta.

“But so far, the government has not produced all the materials before me. I am taking all precautions. I had no difficulty in passing the appointment orders of Shivaraj V Patil and Gururajan, as they were not surrounded by controversies at the time of their appointment,” he said.

He told mediapersons that he had given a list of the retired High Court chief justices and the retired Supreme Court judges to the government. “It’s now up to the government to take a decision,” he said.

Earlier, the Governor said doctors had a major responsibility to ensure healthcare facilities in rural areas. He advised them to serve the rural populace before thinking of building a career.

Tax exemption on toothpaste, brush

Minister for Medical Education S A Ramdas on Friday said the Government was contemplating a tax exemption on toothpaste and tooth brush “as oral health is the gateway to sound health.”

Speaking at the seminar on oral health, the minister said he was convinced with the appeal made by the medical fraternity and would persuade the chief minister to accept the proposal.

Later, speaking to reporters, he said the department of finance had to approve this proposal as it was the clearing authority. He said the Bangalore chapter of the Dental Council of India had given a representation about tax exemption on tooth paste and brush, following which he too agreed with the idea. He said he would discuss the matter with the chief minister to table it in the Cabinet meeting.