The delay in the appointment of Lokayukta in the State is a ploy by the BJP-led State government to shield its role in the mining scam, alleged Congress leader V.S. Ugrappa here on Saturday.
Addressing presspersons, Mr. Ugrappa said according to the Lokayukta Act, once a report is submitted by the anti-corruption ombudsman, the Government has to file an action taken report (ATR) within three months, failing which the Lokayukta can ask the Governor for action against the government.
“However, even after 15 months, no action taken report has been filed, and since Lokayukta has not been appointed, the State government has not been pulled up,” he said. Taking pot-shots at the government, Mr. Ugrappa demanded that the BJP explain its “contradictory” position on the Cauvery water issue.
“(Counsel for the State in the river dispute at the Supreme Court Fali S.) Nariman has declared in the court that the government had no objection to the notification of the final SC order. However, the BJP has been telling people that they would do all they can to stop the release of water. Why has it not tried to not delay issue of notification like how Haryana and Punjab have done with the notification of Ravi and Beas river water sharing for 27 years? Did the government decide this, while saying the contrary during the all-party meet or did the counsel act on his own?” he asked.
