K'taka Govt orders CoD inquiry into job scam

Bangalore, June 22 (UNI) The Karnataka Government has ordered a Corps of Detectives inquiry into the alleged illegal appointment of candidates to Government jobs under compassionate grounds, Labour Minister Iqbal Ansari informed the Legislative Council today.

Replying to a notice served under Rule 72 by Mr S M Anand and Mr V S Ugrappa (both Congress) and 'Mukhyamantri' Chandru (BJP), he said a preliminary inquiry into the alleged irregularity revealed that over 151 such incidents had taken place in the Department of Employment and Training and an officer had been suspended. A criminal case had been lodged against the guilty officer and the promotions of other seniors in the department, allegedly involved in the incidents, were withheld.

The Government was for punishing officers who have committed grave illegality in appointing candidates in State services, denying opportunities to genuine people seeking jobs under compassionate grounds, he added.

Earlier, Mr M P Nada Gouda (JD-U), raising the issue in the House, alleged that the State Government had initiated punitive action only against a lower ranked officer, allowing the higher officials to go scot-free. He demanded that the State Government shift those facing action from the department in the interest of a fair and free inquiry into the irregularities.

Mr Chandru alleged that there were many cases in which jobs were given to undeserving candidates and sought action against the guilty officials.

Intervening, Leader of the Opposition H K Patil and Mr Ugrappa termed the Minister's reply as ''misleading and half-truth''. He demanded that a House Committee be ordered to probe the incidents and identify the guilty officials.

However, the Minister said the State Government had ordered an CoD inquiry into the issue and sought a report within three months.

''If CoD inquiry is not enough, I will consider the demand for constituting a House Committee to inquire into the matter.'' UNI MV GD MIR KN2058