THE INEFFICIENT LOKAYUKTA 15th August 2010 Issue LOKAYUKTA SURROUNDED BY SHORTFALLS, ADVANTAGE BJP

 By Firoz.T.Totanawala 

The Bangalore Metro Reporter

15th August 2010 Issue

                                 THE INEFFICIENT LOKAYUKTA

                                         

LOKAYUKTA SURROUNDED BY SHORTFALLS, ADVANTAGE BJP

The state of Karnataka is currently facing tremendous heat of the Mining scam and undoubtedly all the credit is attributed to the inefficient and corrupt BJP Government of Karnataka. In spite of the exposure of manipulations by their Ministers, the Chief Minister, Mr. Yedurapa has openly defended them and successfully drafted a plan to safeguard them. While a CBI probe is a necessity for such types of scams, Mr. Yedurappa adamantly entrusted the Mining probe to the Lokayukta in stead of the CBI. But, it is a clear fact that the Lokayukta is an unsuitable agency to investigate a scam spread at national and even inter national level. Let us understand the limitations and helplessness of the Lokayukta pertaining to the Mining scam for which he is entrusted the probe.

TIME IS TICKING

Is it really possible for the Lokayukta to conduct the probe? It is in fact, Mr. Yedurappa’s great political conspiracy to safeguard his Government. The Lokayukta is scheduled to retire in August next year and therefore must submit his report to the Government before his term expires. Since the scams involves inter state and inter national complexities, it will be next to impossible for the Lokayukta to submit the report within a year. And even if he does so, the report will once again be in the hands of Mr. Yedurappa himself, who will then decide whether to accept or reject the report and his next course of action.

BEYOND THE BORDERS

A major shortfall for the Lokayukta in this scam would be his limitation to the state only. While the iron ores were exported from the ports of Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, it also includes certain inter national violations as well. The Lokayukta will find it difficult to analyse the transactions outside Karnataka. He may seek assistance of CBI but it may or may not oblige. The Lokayukta also is incapable to seek assistance from the Interpol to investigate inter national violations.

ACCESS DENIED INTO SWISS BANK

It is a known fact that people across the globe deposit their black chunk of money in the famous Swiss Bank perhaps, because, the laws of the Swiss Bank suit such people. The Swiss Bank never reveals the details of its customer, unless there is a criminal case filed against a person for accumulating wealth through illegal means and that there is a suspicion that the same person may be holding an account with the Swiss Bank. But, it would be next to impossible for the Lokayukta to request the Swiss Bank to provide the details since it has limited powers.

INTRUDERS

Another important problem would be shortage of staff for the Lokayukta. Nevertheless, even if he successfully pressurizes the Government to recruit additional staff to assist him in the Mining investigation, the Government will intervene and depute their loyal officials who would completely hamper his investigation. Minute by minute development on the Mining scam investigation can be informed to the Chief Minister, who will then play the cards accordingly to save his Government and the Reddy brothers.

CBI POWER

If the probe was offered to CBI, it would have surely exposed the culprits. The CBI is national agencies which can access the entire country and also seek assistance at inter national level. Mr. Yedurappa is all aware of it and so he was frightened about the CBI probe. When the pressure mounted him to order investigation, he intentionally avoided the most suitable agency CBI and handed over the probe to the Lokayukta, who is incompetent as far as mining scam, is concerned. Now, Mr. Yedurappa is safe as his political gamble ensures his victory.