Privilege motion against Lokayukta registrar planned

A legislature committee has decided to move a privilege motion against the Lokayukta registrar for not submitting the accounts and audit reports for the last six years.  

Citing breach of privilege, the Committee on Papers laid on the Table, has written to Legislative Assembly Speaker K B Koliwad seeking his permission to move the motion.

In a letter dated October 3, JD(S) MLA and committee chairperson Sa Ra Mahesh said the committee had sent two notices to the Lokayukta, on August 29 and September 5. The letter states that neither did Lokayukta officials submit the reports, nor did Lokayukta Registrar H M Nanjundswamy show up before the committee and furnish an explanation.

“The registrar has disrespected the committee. Hence the committee has decided to move a privilege motion against him,” the letter states.

Mahesh told DH that the committee has to lay all audited accounts before the House every year. Despite repeatedly asking the Lokayukta to submit a balance sheet on the allocation (made by the government) and expenditure for the last six years, it has failed to do so.

He said the committee had summoned the registrar as he is appointed by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms and draws a salary from the government, and the Lokayukta himself.

When contacted, Koliwad said he would examine the letter and seek the Advocate General’s legal opinion, if required. “The Lokayukta is an independent body. If I need legal help, I will call the Advocate General, and refer it to the privilege committee,” he said, adding that ultimately, the decision to place the matter before the House was vested with him.