The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Additional powers to Lokayukta welcomed

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Monday, Sep 24, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Additional powers to Lokayukta welcomed

Staff Reporter

The Lokayukta Act will be amended to enable action against bureaucrats

BANGALORE: The former Lokayukta N. Venkatachala welcomed the Government’s move to grant suo moto powers to the office of the Lokayukta to curb corruption in the bureaucracy.

“Every bit is a good development,” Mr. Venkatachala told The Hindu after addressing a discussion organised by Shaktinagar Mahila Sangha on Sunday. The former Lokayukta during his tenure had repeatedly asked the Government to accord more powers to the quasi-judicial body.

The Government has decided to amend the Lokayukta Act to enable the institution to take suo moto action against bureaucrats, including the Chief Secretary.

Mr. Venkatachala said that it did not matter that the suo moto powers did not extend to elected representatives. “Even with no powers I was able to take action when I was Lokayukta. But these additional powers will help people become more aware of their rights. I am sure more developments will come forth,” he said.

Earlier, Mr. Venkatachala urged the women’s groups to take the initiative in spreading awareness about welfare schemes started by the Government. He said that the groups could identify families that could benefit from programmes such as the Bhagya Lakshmi Scheme where girl children from below poverty line families get a monthly scholarship and the Sandhya Suraksha Scheme where senior citizens are granted a monthly pension of Rs. 400.

“With laws and schemes favouring women, there is sco-pe for empowerment for wo-men,” he said and added that women must keep themsel-ves abreast of the happenings.

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