K'taka Lok Ayukta warns Govt officials

Mangalore, Nov 10 (UNI) Karnataka Lok Ayukta Mr Justice Santosh Hegde today warned Government officials against taking him for granted due to his ''different way of functioning'' from his illustrious predecessor Mr Justice N Venkatachala, known for personally raiding departments and premises of corrupt officers.

Talking to newspersons here, he said that though his functioning style was different, the ultimate goal of both was to render justice to the common man and set right the lapses. ''I will deal with things in my own way,'' he said.

Mr Justice Hegde said he was working within the limited scope and powers given to the office. ''I will not leave the post. Within the given scope, I will try to do the maximum.'' He said he had sought the services of five officers of the rank of Superintendent of Police, but as the Government had not sent the officers of the choice of the Lok Ayukta, four of the five officers posted have been sent back. Unless the Government provided the required facilities, the Lok Ayukta could not function effectively, he observed.

Mr Justice Hegde opined that strong public opinion was most important in any democracy, without which nothing could be achieved.

The officials should also work with commitment and concern for the people without passing on the responsibility to others.

He was deeply disappointed that the people had lost the courage to raise their voice against the poor condition of roads here or question the elected representatives. The public should ensure that Mangalore did not become another Bangalore, he said.

On the illegal mining cases in the district, he said a team from Bangalore, comprising officials from the geological department and Lok Ayukta, would soon visit the district to go into the issue.

Of the 93 cases that came before him here today, most pertained to revenue and illegal constructions.

UNI MA GD GM1955