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Help make B'gavi graft-free: Lokayukta

Help make B'gavi graft-free: Lokayukta

Time of India5 days ago
Belagavi: Lokayukta Justice BS Patil called upon govt officials to work honestly to help make Belagavi district corruption-free. He spoke on Wednesday, while chairing a progress review meeting on the disposal of Lokayukta cases in various departments.
"The govt has formulated many schemes for the welfare of the common people and provided ample funds for them. It is the duty of officials to ensure that these govt schemes and funds reach the deserving people in a proper manner," he said. He added that if any official or staff member is found to be involved in corruption, strict action will be taken against them, without any leniency.
The Lokayukta said that every official is assigned some specific tasks. Even with a supervisory system in place, govt work is not proceeding smoothly. If a person has to visit the same office repeatedly for the same task, it means that the work is not being done efficiently. A govt official becomes a true public servant only when they work honestly and according to the law. Lokayukta Patil asked the public servants to be aware of the Lokayukta Act.
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Help make B'gavi graft-free: Lokayukta
Help make B'gavi graft-free: Lokayukta

Time of India

time5 days ago

  • Time of India

Help make B'gavi graft-free: Lokayukta

Belagavi: Lokayukta Justice BS Patil called upon govt officials to work honestly to help make Belagavi district corruption-free. He spoke on Wednesday, while chairing a progress review meeting on the disposal of Lokayukta cases in various departments. "The govt has formulated many schemes for the welfare of the common people and provided ample funds for them. It is the duty of officials to ensure that these govt schemes and funds reach the deserving people in a proper manner," he said. He added that if any official or staff member is found to be involved in corruption, strict action will be taken against them, without any leniency. The Lokayukta said that every official is assigned some specific tasks. Even with a supervisory system in place, govt work is not proceeding smoothly. If a person has to visit the same office repeatedly for the same task, it means that the work is not being done efficiently. A govt official becomes a true public servant only when they work honestly and according to the law. Lokayukta Patil asked the public servants to be aware of the Lokayukta Act.

Goa Lokayukta post lying vacant for eight months; 16 cases pending: CM Sawant
Goa Lokayukta post lying vacant for eight months; 16 cases pending: CM Sawant

News18

time7 days ago

  • News18

Goa Lokayukta post lying vacant for eight months; 16 cases pending: CM Sawant

Panaji, Aug 4 (PTI) As many as 16 corruption cases are pending for adjudication as the post of Goa Lokayukta has been vacant since last December following the retirement of Justice Ambadas Joshi (retd), Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the legislative assembly on Monday. He stated that only administrative work is conducted at the anti-corruption ombudsman institution without active proceedings or hearings in the absence of a presiding Lokayukta. Sawant's reply stemmed from a question raised by Revolutionary Goans Party MLA Viresh Borkar. The chief minister stated that 16 cases are currently pending before the Lokayukta, and since the post fell vacant, four more complaints were received between December 2024 and June 2025, all of which are yet to be disposed of. He stated that the Directorate of Vigilance had submitted a proposal to the government on October 3, 2024, for initiating the appointment process for a new Lokayukta. 'The government has started consultations as required under section 3 of the Goa Lokayukta Act, 2011, but no final appointment has been made yet," he added. Responding to Borkar's written query about whether procedural delays, such as waiting for consent from retired judges or convening the selection committee, had caused the prolonged vacancy, the chief minister stated that the consultation process is ongoing. He assured the House that the government is working to ensure an appointment 'at the earliest." Borkar questioned whether the government was considering amending the Goa Lokayukta Act to introduce safeguards such as time-bound appointments, interim arrangements, or stronger enforcement mechanisms. To this, the chief minister stated that 'no such need arises as of now" and maintained that the existing provisions are exhaustive. PTI RPS NSK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Server down becomes code for graft in Karnataka's sub-registrar offices
Server down becomes code for graft in Karnataka's sub-registrar offices

Time of India

time03-08-2025

  • Time of India

Server down becomes code for graft in Karnataka's sub-registrar offices

Bengaluru: Karnataka's ambitious e-governance drive, meant to fast-track services and curb corruption, is increasingly turning into a digital smokescreen for graft — especially in sub-registrar offices. Across the state, the phrase "server down" has morphed into a thinly veiled signal for citizens to grease palms to move even routine paperwork. What was pitched as a corruption-free system has, in many places, become a sophisticated tool to collect illegal payments. "E-governance in Karnataka was envisioned as a tool to ensure transparency and accountability in govt functioning, but its implementation has fallen short of expectations," said civic activist Vivek Menon. "While digital platforms were meant to reduce human intervention and curb corruption, loopholes in the system have instead given rise to new forms of graft." Menon said staff now manipulate digital records, delay online approvals, and exploit citizens unfamiliar with technology. "Further, being gatekeepers for approvals, officials cite delays and impose hurdles to extract money for clearances. The lack of robust auditing and cyber-vigilance has allowed a tech-savvy few to misuse the system for personal gain," Menon said. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru A 2022 Lokayukta investigation revealed misuse in 45 of 245 sub-registrar offices. Frequent crashes in the Kaveri property registration system enabled staff and middlemen to collect unofficial payments between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000. Regular visitors claim the demand has now gone up by 20%. E-khata services, designed to avoid human interference, are also being misused. Citizens in Bengaluru and other cities say they were made to pay Rs 3,000–15,000 extra for what was supposed to be an end-to-end online service. "Sub-registrar offices have introduced mandatory 'tax' to get servers working," said multiple users on social media. Vinay Chenagappa, a Bengaluru resident, said, "I was told the digital portal was 'down'—and directed to pay intermediaries outside the office. Money brings everything 'up'. Pay some to shops outside the sub-registrar office. Sad but it's the truth, without mandatory tax it's very difficult to get registration done… Registration offices have a daily collection… Before closing for the day, every single staff member gets his/her share. " Real estate analyst Ravikanth Uday shared a similar experience: "The digital divide has further marginalised the poor and uneducated, making them more vulnerable to exploitation. E-governance should have empowered such citizens, but in many instances, it has become another bureaucratic hurdle. Without stronger oversight, transparency, and citizen engagement, Karnataka's digital transformation risks becoming a sophisticated facade for old-school corruption. " Complaints also point to lopsided enforcement. "Middle-class citizens face scrutiny while real estate tycoons and builders proceed unchecked as they work under different 'payment' systems," said one user. Another added, "Without greasing palms it's very difficult... Officials demand Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 just to complete legal formalities." In July 2024, the govt introduced mandatory counselling for sub-registrars and senior staff before transfers, hoping to break entrenched local networks. But the move has had little effect. Revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda has made surprise visits to some offices and warned erring officials, videos of which have been widely shared on social media, but systemic change remains elusive. "While digitisation is intended to reduce human intervention, its effectiveness is undermined without robust transparency and enforcement measures," said civic advocate Mohd Hidayath. He recommended special courts for graft cases in sub-registrar offices and an anonymous whistleblower mechanism. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !

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