High-level panel to suggest amendments to Lokayukta act

Gulbarga (Karnataka), Sept 13: A high-level committee has been constituted to suggest amendments to the Karnataka Lokayukta Act and make it more strong, Lokayukta Justice Shivaraj Patil said on Monday.

"When compared to other states in the country, the Karnataka Lokayukta Act is very good but still it required amendements to make it more strong," he told reporters here.

A committee headed by the Upa Lokayukta and comprising high-level officials of various departments had already been constituted and asked to submit its report as early as possible, he said.

After receipt of the report, it would be studied and then submitted to the government, Patil, who is here on the first leg of his visit to all the 30 districts in the state to interact with people and receive grievances, said.

On pendency of cases, he said there were about 15,000 cases pending since 1993 with the Lokayukta and action had been taken up to clear them speedily adding any complaint given to the watchdog should be settled within one year.

Patil, who recently assumed charge as Lokayukta after the tenure of Santosh Hegde, said he planned to visit all 30 districts to receive grievances and interact with the people and was starting from Gulbarga.

He said he had already written to the state Chief Secretary that prior permission should be obtained from the Lokayukta before reinstating officials suspended after they came under corruption charges.

Patil said only honest police officials would be appointed in the Lokayukta.

PTI