Karnataka govt withdraws Lokayukta amendment bill bowing down to opposition pressure

Belagavi: Bowing to Opposition pressure in the Assembly, Karnataka government on Tuesday withdrew a bill proposing certain amendments to the Lokayukta Act and agreed to come out with comprehensive changes in light of the raging row over an alleged bribery scandal linked to the anti-graft ombudsman. As Law Minister Jayachandra sought to initiate discussion on Karnataka Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill 2015, the opposition BJP and JDS objected to it and demanded comprehensive amendments to the Act in the backdrop of the controversy now. [caption id=“attachment_1367119” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. AFP[/caption] “Keeping in mind the opinion expressed by most members for a comprehensive amendment, I’m not pressing the bill. During the session in Bengaluru next week I will bring comprehensive amendment bill. I’m taking back this bill,” he said. The bill making it mandatory for the anti-corruption watchdog to submit annual performance report by October end every year was introduced last week before the alleged bribery racket in Lokayukta office became a full-blown controversy. Karnataka Lokayukta Bhaskar Rao is in the eye of a storm over allegations that his son was linked to the extortion racket, with the Opposition demanding his resignation and a CBI probe into the issue. Rao has dismissed the charges, saying he would quit if they were proved. Intervening later, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said they had no intention to protect anyone and the allegation about protecting the Lokayukta is a ‘political conspiracy’. “We have no intention to protect anyone, we will not protect anyone. We work as per law,” Siddaramaiah said. He said government cannot suo moto hand over the case to CBI as per Lokayukta Act, as it is an autonomous body. “Lokayukta had specifically asked for SIT probe headed by an officer above the rank of ADGP. So SIT was formed and investigation was handed over to it,” he added. Hitting out at the Opposition for alleging that he was trying to protect Rao as there are cases against him before Lokayukta, Siddaramaiah said “…it is baseless that I’m trying to protect Lokayukta seeking gain.” He said a notice was sent to him regarding Arkavathy layout (in Bengaluru) denotification issue on someone’s complaint and he has responded to it. Siddaramaiah said “false allegations are being made with a political motive.. it is a political conspiracy.” Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar said, “bring a comprehensive amendment to the act; when the whole state is discussing the scam involving Lokayukta and his office and are demanding his removal, we the representatives of those public are not able to discuss the issue involving Lokayukta.” Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa had yesterday said that there can be no discussion on a motion sought to be moved by the Opposition to initiate the process for removal of Lokayukta, after consulting Advocate General Ravivarma Kumar. In a concerted action, BJP and JDS had on Saturday presented a petition signed by 57 MLAs to Thimappa, requesting him to allow a motion for the removal of Rao. BJP MLA’s Suresh Kumar, Basavaraj Bommai and JD(S)’ Y S V Datta alleged ‘selective interpretation’ on the part of the Advocate General and government regarding Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 that applies to removal of Lokayukta and demanded that Opposition’s motion in the House to initiate the process for his removal has to be looked into. Responding to this, the Speaker said he will look into the points raised by members and reveal his decision during the second half of the Assembly session in Bengaluru starting from July 13. “I had called Advocate General, now you had raised some issues. I will look into to it and examine it carefully and if there is need for correction it will be done. I have taken the responsibility,” he said. Pointing at Arkavathy layout denotification issue and renewal of licenses to mines, Shettar said “government is slow to act against Lokayukta to seek help from Lokayukta as there are cases against Chief Minister,” he said. Stating that the SIT headed by Additional DGP Kamal Panth has not yet been given powers as required under CrPC, he said, “government is trying to protect Lokayukta. Chief Minister is trying to protect Lokayukta.” Allegations by Shettar against the government led to heated exchange of words between both the treasury and opposition benches. Jayachandra said “Government is not supporting or protecting anyone.” Intervening, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy alleged that Lokayukta office was being misused by the government to target the opposition, pointing at FIR’s being filed against him and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. Shettar said “Government is looking at the opposition with vindictive nature, we will face it.” PTI