The State government, which is forcibly retiring officials indulging in petty corruption cases, seems to be buying time for Karnataka Lokayukta Y. Bhaskar Rao’s removal. More than a month after the Karnataka Lokayukta Act was amended to bring clarity in procedure to remove Mr. Rao — who is facing charges of corruption — legislators are yet to move a resolution initiating the process. Meanwhile, Mr. Rao is holed up in Hyderabad and has extended his leave for the third time till October 21. The Special Investigation Team has searched Mr. Rao’s office and official residence. He was also grilled for nearly eight hours in Hyderabad and listed as a prosecution witness against his son.
The Opposition BJP, which made such a furore over the Lokayukta, is now silent on the issue. The Congress government hasn’t even been able to find a non-controversial consensus candidate for the post of the Upalokayukta. The name of K.L. Manjunath, a retired High Court judge, has been rejected twice by the Governor. In the midst of all this, nearly 150 police officials, who were posted to the anti-corruption watchdog for more than two-and-a-half years, have been transferred in one go as per the orders of the High Court of Karnataka.
Gowda–CM bonhomie
Has former Prime Minster and JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda buried his differences with his erstwhile colleague and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah? Considering the recent political development and statements made by Mr. Gowda, it appears there is bonhomie between the two.
According to sources in both parties, despite Mr. Gowda’s son H.D. Kumaraswamy’s reservation in joining hands with the Congress in the BBMP, Mr. Gowda supported the move made by party MLAs Zameer Ahmed Khan, M. Gopalaiah and Akhanda Srinivasamurthy, who played a crucial role in sealing the alliance.
While Mr. Kumaraswamy has continued his tirade against Cabinet Ministers in the Congress government, Mr. Gowda has refrained from criticising the government’s decisions. In a recent press meet, Mr. Gowda said that Mr. Siddaramaiah in all his budgets, including those presented during the Janata Dal government, had earmarked funds for the development of north Karnataka and there was no substance in the BJP’s allegations that JD(S) has not done anything for the region. Such praise has never come the Chief Minister’s way from Mr. Gowda in the past.
Ramya vs.
‘rebel’ star
It seems all is not well in the Mandya District Congress Committee. Rift between actors-turned-politicians M.H. Ambareesh and Ramya came to the fore during Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the district on Friday. During an event, compensation was paid to the families of deceased farmers. But instead of giving a cheque to a bereaved family through Ms. Ramya, Mr. Ambareesh gave it to C.S. Puttaraju, MP, who in turn gave it to the family.
Irked over this, AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh is believed to have taken the ‘rebel star’ to task. Ms. Ramya, who shares a close rapport with Mr. Gandhi, reportedly complained to the party high command about Mr. Ambareesh’s hand in her defeat in the 2014 general elections.
Late working hours
Those with hectic work schedules have always been envious of the 10 to 5 routine in government jobs. But many of the officials in the Department of Public Instruction have been forced to put in long working hours that stretch late into the night after Commissioner for Public Instruction K.S. Sathyamurthy took charge. Many complain that they have sacrificed their second Saturdays, Sundays and even government holidays. After several such complaints, the Commissioner asked an official last month to issue a circular to ensure that women employees do not stay back after 6 p.m. in office. This has left the men fuming and many women too have termed it a “sexist” move.
K.V. Aditya Bharadwaj,
Muralidhara Khajane,
Nagesh Prabhu,
and Tanu Kulkarni
