Twitter
Advertisement

Uncertain future awaits Santosh Hegde’s aides

Their job done, the team that spearheaded the probe into illegal mining in the state under the aegis of the Lok Ayukta is now set to be dismantled.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Their job done, the team that spearheaded the probe into illegal mining in the state under the aegis of the Lok Ayukta is now set to be dismantled. Many of its members will soon return to work in services from which they were earlier deputed to the Lok Ayukta.

After the revelations made in the Lok Ayukta report that was submitted to the government on July 27, Takat Singh Ranavat, a probationer with the Indian Forest Service (IFS), who was on the team, says he’s ready to return to the IFS.

Ranavat was earlier stationed at Ankola as assistant conservator of forests. Soon after the Lok Ayukta report was submitted, Ranavat arrived in Karwar on Friday, and is gathering his belongings before moving on to Bidar, where he has been posted as deputy conservator of forests.

“Working with Lok Ayukta Santosh Hegde has been an education. He had such a highly motivated team working with him. My seniors in the IFS, UV Singh and Biswajit Singh, worked with great motivation, and that made me feel very motivated too. Today, I’ve got orders to move to Bidar. Now, new challenges await me,” said Ranavat.

And would he visit Belekeri? “My work there is done, for now. I have memories that will stay with me,” he says.

Although Justice Hegde had indicated that those who had been deputed to the Lok Ayukta from different departments were now free to go back to their parent departments, he had also
said: “I need efficient and honest officials to continue too, as much as possible.”

Justice Hegde had also requested the state government to offer protection to officials who had been involved in his probe, who run the risk of being targeted for their work.

“Many of the officials working on this probe are young and honest officials, with no care for political patronage to further their career. They could be harassed by seniors when they return, at the instigation of politicians,” the Lok Ayukta said.

Among those in the core group on the mining probe of the Lokayukta were UV Singh, Biswajit Mishra, Vipin Singh, Uday Kumar and Madhukar Shetty. Also, KR Chamaiah, retired secretary of the department of law, government of Karnataka, was also part of the team.

Many of the officials were drawn from the Indian Forest Service or the police. A Lok Ayukta police officer in Udupi, who wished to remain unnamed, said: “Working with the Lok Ayukta, especially unearthing the happenings at Belekeri, has changed my whole outlook on life. I feel a better official than before, for that experience. I would like to continue in the Lokayukta as far as possible.”

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement