The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Lok Ayukta seeks separate budget

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Lok Ayukta seeks separate budget

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Lok Ayukta of Andhra Pradesh, Justice S. Ananda Reddy has sought allocation of separate budget to the institution from the Consolidated Fund as also contempt, search and seizure powers.

Addressing a press conference soon after he had sworn in M.V.S. Krishnaji Rao as Upa Lokayukta here on Thursday, he said that at present the money was sanctioned from the GAD budget like in the case of the Anti-Corruption Bureau whereas it was given from the Consolidated Fund in other States.

The budget for the institution during 2008-09 was Rs. 3 crore.

He said the government had been urged to amend the A.P. Lok Ayukta Act amended to vest search and seizure powers to its investigating officials.

“Unless we are given such powers, we can’t go if we want first hand information,” he added.

He pointed out that Lok Ayukta would have to depend on the reports of higher officials in the absence of search and seizure powers. Mr. Reddy said it would also be proposed to the government to give concurrence to enable the institution utilise the services of other agencies like the ACB. He said that under the Act, Lok Ayukta was not only empowered to conduct investigation into complaints or allegations made against officers, MLAs and Ministers but could also inquire into complaints of abuse, misuse or any other illegality.

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