Three MLCs and an MLA have failed to submit their annual statement of assets and liabilities last year. A letter has been written to the Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala in this regard, said Lokayukta Vishwanath Shetty.
Talking to The Hindu here on Sunday, Mr. Shetty said that following their failure to file mandatory statement of assets in June last year, reminders were sent to these four and a few more legislators. The four legislators failed to submit the statement even after publication of their names in a few newspapers. As per the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, he has now written to the Governor intimating him about the names of the four legislators.
Mr. Shetty said that this year 25 legislators have failed to submit their annual statements by June. The Lokayukta was sending intimation to these legislators.
Mr. Shetty said that he was focusing on completing at the earliest the inquiries against government officers some of which were pending since 2010. While 11 inquiry officers were working on it, Mr. Shetty said that he has sought nine additional inquiry officers of the rank of District Judges. “A series of correspondence and meetings has taken place. I am hopeful of getting the additional inquiry officers by another 10 months,” he said and added that these additional officers were required to punish the guilty and discharge the innocent officers at the earliest.
Mr. Shetty said that the Lokayukta has been getting a good number of complaints, including anonymous ones. Some of these complaints were being inquired into discreetly by the Lokayukta police officers. He said that Lokayukta police officers were visiting hospitals and hostels for backward classes students on a regular basis and submitting reports every month.
While looking at cases of maladministration, Mr. Shetty said that he was also using the office of the Lokayukta to make officials disseminate information about various welfare schemes to the youth. “It is a small effort to transform the lives of youngsters from these oppressed communities,” he said.
He said that he was working on a proposal to make filing assets statement mandatory for all elected representatives, including gram panchayat members.