Lokayukta dissatisfied over not giving more power

Bangalore, June 11 (UNI) Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde today took strong exception to Fifth Pay Commission's recommendation to form a separate Cell for curbing corruption in the State government offices.

Talking to newsmen here, he said that the Commission had no right to make such a recommendation, which was nothing but an attempt to take away the powers of Lokayukta. If corruption wing was taken away, what elese work left with the Lokayukta, he questioned.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the State Government not giving more power to the Lokayukta, Justice Hegde said he would not again approach for more power. " I am fed up with government's relectuance on giving more power and would not approach in this regard. However, would concentrate more on clearing the pending files", he added.

Justice Hegde said that special law department would be established in the Lokayukta to keep watch on Advocates who are not cooperating with the Government in fighting the cases instead join hands with culprits.

He said that the newly appointed 26 Advocates were adviced to perform their duties with responsibility.

Earlier, Justice Hegde addressed Senior Police Officers working in Lokayukta, Public Prosecutors and other Law Officers representing the Institution of Lokayukta in various courts including the High Court and the Administrative Tribunal.

UNI