Santosh Hegde agrees to be a member of Lokpal Bill committee

Santosh Hegde agrees to be a member of Lokpal Bill committee

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, April 9: Karnataka lok ayukta Santosh Hegde today said he has accepted the government decision to appoint him as one of the members of the ten-member committee to draft the Lokpal Bill.

 

 

 

Speaking to the Business Management students of SDM College, he said, "I am willing to serve as a member of the committee". Hegde yesterday declined to head the committee following speculations in this regard.

Authorities of Lokpal should be vested with powers given to police, Hegde said.

Hegde, a former Supreme Court judge known for his vigorous campaign against corruption, had said yesterday that former Chief Justice of India JS Verma, would be the most ideal person for the post.

 

Verma was the other choice of Anna Hazare for the post, following negotiations with government after his fast-unto-death to draft an effective Lokpal Bill to battle corruption.

"No I do not think it will be right for me to chair the joint committee," Hegde had said, noting his role in drafting the earlier Lokpal bill and supporting Hazare in his fight against graft might invite allegations of being biased and prejudiced.

 

Speaking in an interaction programme organized at SDM College of Business Management here on Saturday, April 9, Lokayukta Santosh Hegde said that everyone must vote so that the role of money in elections could be reduced. At least 90 per cent of us should vote. The best would be to make voting compulsory.”

Hegde said that people should be clever to identify incompetent politicians. They must be given full right to recall those representatives who are inefficient.  People are asking questions like why they should vote, he said.

Speaking about the parties differed over who should investigate illegal iron export cases, he said ruling party wanted the Lokayukta, the opposition wanted the CBI to investigate it. In last Parliament session, parties fought for 24 days over who should investigate 2G scam JPC or PAC. “Ironically, both are parliamentary committees. How can we expect a fair investigation from them? ” he asked.

On December 23, 2008 at least 17 bills were passed in 12 minutes without even reading the title of the bills, he said.