Collateral benefit

The resignation of Justice N. Santosh Hegde as Karnataka Lokayukta has spotlighted irregularities in the mining sector. He quit last week,saying the state government was not cooperating in the pursuit of cases of corruption. A case he cited then is the transport of eight lakh tonnes of illegally mined iron ore at Bellikeri port,more than half of which subsequently disappeared. He referred to attempts by the state government to suspend the Karwar deputy conservator of forests who was supervising investigations in the case. The investigation has now been given to the CID,and a forest officer investigating the case transferred.

Ironically,these developments substantiate Hegdes argument that the office of the Lokayukta needs to be empowered and engaged imaginatively if it is to substantively fulfil its charter as an anti-corruption ombudsman. The office was introduced following the first Administrative Reforms Commission. The federal equivalent,the Lokpal,has been much debated but is yet to be established. But the experience of Lokayuktas in states too has been chequered. Orissa,for instance,was the first state to pass an enabling legislation 1970,and then the first to abolish it 1993. Many states have not had a Lokayukta. Even within states with the office,experience is varied; and the Hegde controversy shows how dependent its relevance is on the incumbent. Hegde pushed the envelope by enlarging the scope and powers of the office. It is perhaps not incidental that Karnataka did away with the Vigilance Commission in the 80s,and the Lokayukta consequently was sought to fill that vacuum.

The second Administrative Reforms Commission has recommended giving the Lokayukta more powers to investigate corruption. Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily,who headed the second ARC,told The Indian Express that the Central government is considering key amendments to make it mandatory for each state to have a Lokayukta. A group of ministers is studying various suggestions,but among Moilys recommendations is that the Lokayukta should be relieved of investigations against junior function-aries,so it can concentrate on

corruption at the higher levels. It is perhaps collateral benefit that Hegdes resignation has underscored the need for his office. Amending the law could help,in time. But the offices relevance must immediately be honoured through follow-up in the cases that brought around this controversy.