Karnataka - Gulbarga   

World Bank report lauds Lokayukta

Special Correspondent

`It has raised awareness about its role'

GULBARGA: The World Bank has lauded the functioning of the Lokayukta and its efforts to check corruption in the State. It has said the Lokayukta has been largely successful in making corruption a potent public issue with the help of the media to ensure that politicians take the issue of corruption more seriously.

In its latest report on "Reforming public services in India: drawing lessons from success," the World Bank has lauded the previous Lokayukta, N. Venkatachala, who, it says, had the conviction to achieve success under Indian conditions. He changed the strategy towards high-profile raids and investigation that mobilised public opinion and forced the Government to take action.

The report says that unlike other State anti-corruption agencies, which gauge their performance by the number of people prosecuted, the Lokayukta in the State has avoided this trap. The Lokayukta in Karnataka used its statutory powers and institutional strength to make corruption a potent public issue and not just prosecute people.

The World Bank noted that with an annual budget of Rs. 7.20 crore and 500 officers specially assigned to the Lokayukta, Karnataka was one of the better endowed States in dealing with corruption. The report says the vigour of the Lokayukta and regular media coverage of many irregularities unearthed by him raised the credibility of the institution. The number of complaints received by the Lokayukta had shot up from 20 a day to over 100. The Lokayukta's aim was not so much the prosecution of offenders but to intimidate corrupt officials and put pressure on them through media coverage.

The Lokayukta was largely successful in raising awareness among citizens about its role in combating corruption and misadministration. The rapid increase in the number of complaints forced the Lokayukta's office to go in for computerisation of all registered complaints.

All the complaints received a unique tracking number to monitor the progress of important cases personally.

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