Lokayukta resignation sets off a storm in both houses in Karnataka

Both houses of the state legislature were, on Tuesday, rocked by the resignation of Lokayukta justice N Santosh Hegde. Members of the Opposition sat in dharna, demanding an adjournment motion on the issue after uproarious scenes were witnessed in both houses.

The opposition refused to budge from its demand for an adjournment motion under Rule 60. The chair, however, rejected that demand and allowed the discussion under Rule 69, which does not provide for a vote on the debate.

Making a preliminary submission for the adjournment motion, leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Siddaramaiah, said that the state government’s callous attitude, its non-cooperation with the Lokayukta, and its determined denial of suo motu powers to him were responsible for the resignation of justice N Santosh Hegde from the post. Worse still, corrupt officials were reinstated. This was like adding insult to injury, Siddaramaiah said.

Expressing serious concern that minister of ports, Krishna Palemar, had written a letter asking the state’s chief secretary to suspend the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Karwar, R Gokul, who had assisted in the work of the Lokayukta, Siddaramaiah said, “It is a clear example of how the state government is out to punish honest officers, who investigated and exposed the loot of state resources. Lakhs of tonnes of iron ore were being illegally mined and exported.”

Siddaramaiah said that the ‘vanishing’ of 5 lakh metric tonnes of illegal iron ore from Belikere port was the biggest scam of the century. It involved illegal export of ore worth Rs3,000 crore, he said, accusing the state government of ‘encouraging daylight
robbery’ by forcing the Lokayukta to quit.

Demanding suo motu powers for Lokayukta, Siddaramaiah urged the chair to allow a detailed discussion on the issue, under Rule 60, so that the debate could be followed with a vote. However, speaker KG Bopaiah rejected the plea, allowing only a discussion under Rule 69, which does not provide for voting. Opposition members sat in a dharna in the well of the house.

Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said, “In fact, our government has fulfilled 90% of the Lokayukta’s demands. We are ready for a detailed debate, and if the Opposition throws light on the matter, we could even correct our mistakes.”