New Lok Ayukta to mobilise public support for more powers

Bangalore, Aug 3 (UNI) Former Supreme Court Judge and new Lok Ayukta of Karnataka N Santhosh Hegde today said he would try to generate public opinion in favour of conferring more powers on the office of Lok Ayukta to effectively fight corruption.

Addressing his maiden press conference after being sworn in as the fifth Lok Ayukta of the state this morning, he opined that there is a need to strengthen the office of the Lokyukta by conferring more powers like giving suo-moto authority to prosecute any official found guilty of corruption.

He said the Lokayukta presently have no power to conduct inquiry into corruption charges against any officials beyond class-I government employees.

Describing the Lok Ayukta as a high power investigation agency with low authority, Justice Hegde said that it should be vested with powers to prosecute in a special court if any official is found guilty. Besides, the Karnataka Lok Ayukta Act should be amended to facilitate interchange of jurisdiction by Lok Ayukta and Upa Lok Ayukta on special circumstances, he added.

He pointed out the office of Upa-Lokayukta was vested with more powers than the Lok Ayukta, despite being its sub-ordinate.

Justice Hegde further added that he would strive to include lessons on corruption in school curriculum to create a spirit of anti-corruption among children.

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