BANGALORE: Officials who have been faulted by investigation agencies like the Corps of Detectives (CoD) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should give up their posts voluntarily without being asked to, Governor T.N. Chaturvedi has said.

He was speaking at a function organised by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) here on Saturday.

"When cases are registered by CoD or CBI certain acts would follow," the Governor said and pointed out that the powers vested in him did not permit him to seek the resignation of such officials.

Mr. Chaturvedi was speaking on `Role of Lokayukta in good governance," organised as part of the IIPA Bangalore Chapter's golden jubilee celebrations.

The Governor said he agreed with Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde's view that there was need for de-politicisation of the administration. He said it was disheartening that governments were considering a pliable officer as trustworthy.

An officer who did not listen to the political bosses was shunted out.

He said the Government should take appropriate action on the inquiry reports submitted by the Lokayukta without delay. If a long time was taken, the people would lose faith in the administration.

He expressed hope that the State Government would bring in amendments to the Lokayukta Act and provide the institution with the suo motu power to investigate.

Earlier, Mr. Hegde said the increase in the number of the cases of maladministration was an indicator of the rise in corruption.

He said that as many as 20,000 cases were pending. Lack of adequate manpower and the necessary authority were the reasons for not clearing the cases.

Mr. Hegde said absence of a clear transfer policy was the root cause of corruption in the administration. Officials were not properly responding to the problems of the people.

Referring to agriculture, Mr. Hegde said the officials were not helping farmers in suggesting the right methods of cultivation and preventing suicides by farmers because of crop failure.

He said the officials should stop heeding to political leaders.

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