The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Justice eludes whistleblower

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Sunday, Dec 02, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Justice eludes whistleblower

Special Correspondent

Farmers, the disabled, and distraught mothers queue up before Governor

KRRS leader appeals against land acquisition for SEZ
An applicant asks for streamlining of KPTCL recruitment

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

A VICTIM OF POLITICS: Annapurna, a disabled person, at ‘Janata Darshan’ held by Governor Rameshwar Thakur in Bangalore on Saturday. She was given a job by the former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy at the Chief Minister’s home office ‘Krishna’ but became jobless when the Government fell.

Bangalore: Jayant M. Tinaikar, an informant who helped blow the lid off the multi-crore stamp paper scam, had brought an unusual complaint to Governor Rameshwar Thakur at the “Janata Darshan” on Saturday.

“I have got a cash reward of Rs. 2,000 for risking my life and giving information that has saved crores of rupees to the Government. I had asked for 8.29 acres of land near Khanapur in Belgaum. It was approved. Now they say there is no legal provision to sanction it. What legal sanction do governments have to give generous cash prizes to cricketers?,” asked a livid Mr. Tinaikar, his bodyguard standing by his side.

Mr. Tinaikar and Tejaswi Patel (a relative of the former Chief Minister J.H. Patel), who had come to demand speedy implementation of Upper Bhadra Project, were among the familiar faces at the “Janata Darshan” here.

Another known person who came before the Governor was Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader Kodihalli Chandrashekhar who appealed against acquisition of arable land for a Special Economic Zone near Bajpe in Mangalore.

But there were hundreds of citizens – 650 to be specific – who had brought their complaints.

Annapurna, confined to her wheelchair, was making her third trip. She had been given a job at the front office of ‘Krishna’ Chief Minister’s home office by H.D. Kumaraswamy during one of his Janata Darshans.

She lost the job after the Legislative Assembly was dissolved. Sunita, a burns victim who lost her mentally-challenged son recently, was in the same boat having lost her job as a computer operator.

But Ms. Sunita seemed more keen on drawing the attention of the press to the plight of another applicant Padmavathi Shivakumar, a widow who had come from Shivajinagar with her physically and mentally challenged son.

Ms. Shivakumar wanted financial help for livelihood since she could not go out to work leaving her disabled son behind.

“I asked for Ashraya house and they are asking me to apply for a BDA site. How can I buy a site when I have no money to feed my children?,” asked the distraught mother.

Sharana Basava, who had come all the way from Koppal, had a complaint against job interviews for KPTCL. “There is no written test and the selection is through interviews,” said Mr. Basava.

“They ask silly questions and disqualify meritorious candidates. The Governor should ensure a fair system to help unemployed people like me,” he said.

C. Ramesh had come from equally faraway place, Deodurga in Raichur, to get work on a water tank started in his village on an approved water tank project. Some applicants complained about not getting acknowledgements.

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