No objection from IAS officers to give more teeth to Lokayukta

Bangalore, May 9 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Secretary P B Mahishi today denied that there was any objection from the IAS officers in giving more power to Lokayukta.

Talking to newsmen here, he said that "all IAS officer have to abide by the decision of the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to consider the issue".

Mr Mahishi said that no IAS officer has opposed the state government's move to confer more powers to Lokayukta including conferring su-moto powers to prosecute the state Government employees. "The IAS Officers Association has also not made any comments on the state government's move" he added.

He said that the state government was seized of the matter regarding conferring more powers to Lokayukta in combating corruption and everybody should have to abide with the government's decision.

Mr Mahishi said that the new guidelines for transfer of government employees were being formulated and would be implemented before giving effect to General transfers.

On the drought conditions in the state, he said that three teams have been formed to monitor the situation and report regularly to the Cabinet Sub-committee for drought. The state government had disbursed sufficient funds to tackle the acute drinking water problem both in urban and rural areas. Priority was given to rejuvenate and repair the existing bore wells in tackling the problem and concerned Deputy Commissioners have enough funds to meet the requirement.

Mr Mahishi said that some of the Secretaries, handling sensitive departments, were relieved from functioning as district incharge Secretaries. They were replaced with other officers with Secretary rank.

UNI