<p>Davangere: Lamenting that women officers are more corrupt than men, Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa said this came to his notice after being appointed the Upa Lokayukta. However, this was not a good development.</p><p>Speaking at a public grievances meeting organised by the Lokayukta at the District Administration building in Davangere on Thursday, Veerappa said women are working equally with men in all fields. However, they have turned more corrupt, too. </p><p>He added that there are several cases of government officials engaging in corruption, but some individuals accuse officials of corruption for personal gain. This came to the Lokayukta’s notice during the case hearings. The Lokayukta does not tolerate this. Such errant complainants can be sentenced to three years of imprisonment under Section 20 of the Lokayukta Act.</p><p>“We even have cases of misuse of the Right to Information Act and the Lokayukta Act to intimidate officials. It was found during a hearing that an individual had made false allegations against five officials. In the case verdict, the person was sternly warned not to misuse the law,” he noted.</p><p>Justice Veerappa said the Lokayukta, an autonomous body which does not work under the patronage of politicians and officials, is making honest efforts to eradicate corruption. After being appointed the Upa Lokayukta, he declared his complete assets publicly.</p><p>“All officers should declare their asset details. Calling them to the Lokayukta office in Bengaluru and conducting inquiries will cause inconvenience to the public. Therefore, two Upa Lokayuktas have been assigned to all the districts, and a three-day tour has been taken to each district to investigate corruption cases against officials and take action to dispose of them,” he explained.</p><p>Justice Veerappa said he drove to Davangere with his team of officials from Bengaluru in his own vehicle and was not interested in receiving hospitality from officials. He had not even drunk water provided by officials during any office visit. He only accepts security provided by officials as per protocol, as their job is risky. But when it came to irregularities, he had not hesitated to file a suo motu case.</p><p>“It is the duty of all of us to ensure the public does not lose faith in the Lokayukta,” he said.</p><p>He regretted that corruption in the state has increased after Covid-19.</p><p>“During Covid-19, the world was in turmoil. Hundreds of people in the country, including lawyers, policemen and doctors died of Covid. I felt Covid exposed people to the real world, taught them wisdom, and helped them lead a better life. However, after 2021, corruption is on rise in the state,” he lamented.</p><p><strong>‘Don’t sign blindly’</strong></p><p>Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairperson of the District Legal Services Authority Vela D K said serving as an additional registrar in the Lokayukta, she had observed officers blindly signing reports given by the lower-rung staff. During an inquiry, it was also found that certificates like surviving member certificates and family tree certificates were issued to a family in various ways, and unqualified people got government benefits through those certificates. She said officials should responsibly check while issuing certificates.</p><p>Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Suresh Itnal was present at the meeting.</p>
<p>Davangere: Lamenting that women officers are more corrupt than men, Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa said this came to his notice after being appointed the Upa Lokayukta. However, this was not a good development.</p><p>Speaking at a public grievances meeting organised by the Lokayukta at the District Administration building in Davangere on Thursday, Veerappa said women are working equally with men in all fields. However, they have turned more corrupt, too. </p><p>He added that there are several cases of government officials engaging in corruption, but some individuals accuse officials of corruption for personal gain. This came to the Lokayukta’s notice during the case hearings. The Lokayukta does not tolerate this. Such errant complainants can be sentenced to three years of imprisonment under Section 20 of the Lokayukta Act.</p><p>“We even have cases of misuse of the Right to Information Act and the Lokayukta Act to intimidate officials. It was found during a hearing that an individual had made false allegations against five officials. In the case verdict, the person was sternly warned not to misuse the law,” he noted.</p><p>Justice Veerappa said the Lokayukta, an autonomous body which does not work under the patronage of politicians and officials, is making honest efforts to eradicate corruption. After being appointed the Upa Lokayukta, he declared his complete assets publicly.</p><p>“All officers should declare their asset details. Calling them to the Lokayukta office in Bengaluru and conducting inquiries will cause inconvenience to the public. Therefore, two Upa Lokayuktas have been assigned to all the districts, and a three-day tour has been taken to each district to investigate corruption cases against officials and take action to dispose of them,” he explained.</p><p>Justice Veerappa said he drove to Davangere with his team of officials from Bengaluru in his own vehicle and was not interested in receiving hospitality from officials. He had not even drunk water provided by officials during any office visit. He only accepts security provided by officials as per protocol, as their job is risky. But when it came to irregularities, he had not hesitated to file a suo motu case.</p><p>“It is the duty of all of us to ensure the public does not lose faith in the Lokayukta,” he said.</p><p>He regretted that corruption in the state has increased after Covid-19.</p><p>“During Covid-19, the world was in turmoil. Hundreds of people in the country, including lawyers, policemen and doctors died of Covid. I felt Covid exposed people to the real world, taught them wisdom, and helped them lead a better life. However, after 2021, corruption is on rise in the state,” he lamented.</p><p><strong>‘Don’t sign blindly’</strong></p><p>Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairperson of the District Legal Services Authority Vela D K said serving as an additional registrar in the Lokayukta, she had observed officers blindly signing reports given by the lower-rung staff. During an inquiry, it was also found that certificates like surviving member certificates and family tree certificates were issued to a family in various ways, and unqualified people got government benefits through those certificates. She said officials should responsibly check while issuing certificates.</p><p>Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Suresh Itnal was present at the meeting.</p>
