Sources say that in a bid to indirectly take over power of corruption watchdog, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa government is mulling over placing an IAS officer as registrar of the Lokayukta.
Sources say that in a bid to indirectly take over power of corruption watchdog, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa government is mulling over placing an IAS officer as registr of the Lokayukta.
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That's My way: B S Yeddyurappa
I don't care: N Santosh Hegde
According to a highly placed source, the state government is planning to appoint an IAS officer as registrar of the Lokayukta in a bid to take control of the corruption watchdog indirectly. "Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa thinks that the government would have better control over the Lokayukta if the registrar is an IAS officer. Presently, things appear to be moving in that direction," said the source.
The registrar appointed by the Lokayukta is a significant position, which makes the person the administrative head, who is authorised to supervise, scrutinise and register complaints, send reports to the competent authority and entrust departmental enquiry to the enquiry officer.
Rectification drive?
In the backdrop of the CM facing public embarrassment due to the complaints registered by the JD(S) leaders against him with the Lokayukta, the government's move has assumed political importance. Several graft cases, in which he and his cabinet colleagues are the main accused, are pending in the Lokayukta special court.
The cases have dented the image of his government, and have become one of the main reasons why a replacement is being sought. While this is the scenario, Yeddyurappa continues to struggle to convince the BJP high command for his continuance.
As per procedure, a district judge is taken on deputation or a retired district judge is taken on contract as the registrar, but this time the government is looking for a change. "There is no legal impediment as the registrar is an administrative authority and the government can place an IAS officer by amending the rules," said the source.
'Least bothered'
The incumbent Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde's term is ending shortly and the government is understood to be waiting for his retirement to work on its designs."I heard about this, but I am not bothered. As a rule, they should not place a bureaucrat at that post. However, politicians have their own way of doing things. Let them do whatever they want, I will not be there to see it all," he said. While Justice Shivaraj Patil, and Justice Bannur Mat are tipped to be short listed, the government is expected to start the procedure for appointment of the Lokayukta. Interestingly, both the short listed candidates are from the Lingayat community, which Yeddyurappa also belongs to.
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