State anti-graft watchdog best in India: Hegde

Former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde said that the Karnataka Lokayukta is the best ombudsman in the country and people should not let government to close the institution. He was interacting with the children at the Gandhi Bhavan on “Lokayukta - its birth and future” organised by the Rashtriya Nava Nirmana Vedike to mark the birth anniversary of former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde here on Saturday.

Justice Hegde said that Lokayukta institution is the only forum for the public to get relief on issues pertaining to maladministration. He came down heavily on Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao for sticking to the chair despite his son arrested and denied bail in cases of corruption and extortion.

“During my tenure, 23,000 complaints were disposed of pertaining to maladministration. The institution of Lokayukta is primarily to address these issues. The institution is passing through a testing time because of one person who is still sticking to the chair despite cases against his son,” Justice Hegde said.

Recalling the contribution of Ramakrishna Hegde, Justice Hegde said that it was during Hegde’s tenure as the chief minister, the institution of Lokayukta came into existence. “People who want work in the Lokayukta should be committed towards anti-corruption and maladministration. Though I have held various offices, the experience as Lokayukta has given me immense satisfaction,” he said.