Key Facts
Karnataka Upa Lokayukta B. Veerappa on Friday expressed concern over the rise of 'educated fraudsters' in society and said the Lokayukta had emerged as a nightmare for corrupt officials by ensuring accountability and punishment for wrongdoers. He was inaugurating a grievance hearing programme for complaints registered in Bidar district at the Poojya Shri Channabasava Pattadevar Rangamandir in Bidar.
Details of the Grievance Hearing
Mr. Veerappa said the Lokayukta was one of the strongest and most autonomous institutions in the country, which had, in the past, taken action against even Chief Ministers and Ministers. He urged citizens facing difficulties in securing services or justice to approach the Lokayukta, which would take steps to resolve genuine grievances. The institution had also initiated proceedings in several cases involving public interest and has delivered justice, he added.
He said the Lokayukta had conducted raids against several officials involved in corruption and those found possessing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. Officials who failed to discharge their duties responsibly had been taught appropriate lessons through legal action, he said.
Impact on Society
Recalling his tenure as Chairman of the Legal Services Authority, he said nearly 1.8 crore cases had been resolved through extensive outreach programmes conducted across villages. Many problems could be solved if both officials and citizens responded responsibly, he observed. He urged citizens and government servants alike to fulfil their respective rights and duties. Complainants, he said, should pursue their grievances to their logical conclusion without fear and without withdrawing midway. Social and voluntary organisations should actively fight injustice, he added.
What Readers Should Know
Expressing concern over ethical decline, Mr. Veerappa said officials should not treat public office as a licence for corruption. 'While many honest officers continued to serve with integrity, corrupt officials were still too many. Educated fraudsters and anti-national elements are increasing in society,' he remarked. He cautioned against the pursuit of wealth through dishonest means, saying ill-got money ultimately brought misery. 'Many officials who had amassed huge fortunes through corrupt practices had later led unhappy lives and regretted their actions,' he said.
Stressing the importance of values and character, Mr. Veerappa said children must be taught good values from an early age. 'Corruption could be eradicated only if society became more value-based and ethical. Society remembered personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, Basaveshwara, and Subhas Chandra Bose for their contributions, not merely for the wealth they accumulated,' he said.
The Upa Lokayukta also noted a growing trend of false complaints and said nearly 40,000 such cases were pending. Filing false cases was a punishable offence carrying up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine, he warned.
A total of 123 complaints were taken up and resolved during the hearing. During the proceedings, Mr. Veerappa issued directions to several officials and instructed that they complete pending works within the stipulated timelines.
Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma, Lokayukta Deputy Registrar Aravind, Judge Raghavendra Upadhye, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Girish Badole, Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti, Deputy Conservator of Forests Sumit Kumar Patil, Additional Deputy Commissioner Shivanand Karale, and Lokayukta Superintendent of Police C. Siddaraju were among those present.
FAQ
What did Karnataka Upa Lokayukta B. Veerappa say about educated fraudsters?
He expressed concern over the rise of educated fraudsters and anti-national elements in society, calling them a threat.
How many complaints were resolved during the grievance hearing in Bidar?
A total of 123 complaints were taken up and resolved during the hearing.
What warning did Veerappa give about false complaints?
He warned that filing false complaints is a punishable offense, carrying up to three years imprisonment and a fine.
Source: www.thehindu.com