Belagavi : Bowing to Opposition pressure in the Assembly, 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 Lokayutka (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. “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.
