Special Correspondent
BANGALORE: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Wednesday announced that the Government would take steps to set up “special courts” to try cases booked by the Lokayukta.
Intervening during the discussion on rural development in the Legislative Council, he said the Government would forward a proposal in this regard to the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice on Thursday. Establishing such courts would help expedite the Lokayukta probe into cases of corruption, he noted. Sources in the secretariat said that the Government would decide on the number of such courts to be set up in consultation with the High Court.
However, Janata Dal (S) leader M.C. Nanaiah maintained that though setting up of special courts was welcome, the fight against corruption would not gain momentum till the Lokayukta was given suo motu powers to take up investigation against corrupt officials and the power to prosecute the guilty. These powers should precede the move on setting up special courts, he suggested. He recalled that Mr. Yeddyurappa, who had assured the House in July of taking a decision on suo motu powers after discussing the issue in the Cabinet, was yet to act. Mr. Yeddyurappa said the decision to set up special courts was a first step towards empowering the Lokayukta. He sought time for deciding on empowering the Lokayukta, while stating that he was trying to take everybody into confidence. Mr. Nanaiah taunted the Chief Minister for seeking time to make a decision while pointing out that only a few days ago, he had been given “Fastest Mover Award” in Delhi by a magazine for swift responses. “You should not make slow decisions after getting the award,” he remarked in a lighter vein.
Meanwhile, Mr. Yeddyurappa said he had written to the Chief Secretary on compulsorily retiring inefficient and corrupt officials.
(The Hindu, 17 September 2009)
