‘Come forward to complain against the corrupt’

Team Udayavani, Oct 23, 2023, 1:15 PM IST

In the battle against corruption, public participation stands as an indispensable pillar. Mere allegations fall short; a written complaint against those seeking bribes is imperative. Yet, a prevailing hesitancy among the residents of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts to approach the Lokayukta has been observed. In an exclusive interview with “Udayavani,” C A Simon, the Lokayukta Superintendent of Police of Mangaluru Division, overseeing both districts, underlined the urgency of transforming this mindset.

Here are the excerpts from the interview:

Against whom can a complaint be registered?

Complaints can be filed against employees and officials involved in cases of bribery, demands for bribes, unjustified delays, and more. This also extends to outsourced personnel, who fall under the Lokayukta’s jurisdiction. As per provisions of the law, complaints can be filed against all government representatives receiving specific honorariums from the government, even the Chief Minister.

Aren’t there reports of bribery in coastal areas?

There are indeed allegations of corruption within government departments. However, in comparison to other districts, the public complaints registered with the Lokayukta in Udupi are significantly lower. In a year, this number stands at less than ten.

Can the Lokayukta take cognizance of corruption and file a case voluntarily?

Certainly. In cases where government employees and officials possess wealth beyond their legitimate income, a case is proactively registered (suo moto). Alternatively, the public is encouraged to file a specific complaint.

Should someone demand a bribe, they should promptly inform Lokayukta officials. We provide guidance to complainants and devise strategies to apprehend the corrupt individual. All information regarding the complainant is held strictly confidential.

It’s important to note that investigations cannot be initiated on mere speculation; a formal complaint is imperative.

Some resort to offering bribes to expedite their work, which establishes a dangerous precedent. This practice can lead to further extortion by the involved officer or employee, impacting the entire system negatively. Remember, both accepting and offering bribes are unequivocally wrong.

Has the authority of the Lokayukta diminished?

No, quite the contrary. The Lokayukta remains robust. Numerous cases have seen raids conducted and corrupt individuals apprehended.

Recently, many cases have been efficiently resolved in Lokayukta public relations meetings.

Notable instances include the arrest of an aided senior primary school administrator for accepting bribes for processing pension documents of a retired teacher, a village accountant taking money for an NOC, a PWD engineer accepting bribes from a contractor, and even a deputy director of agriculture accepting bribes for bill payment.

What are the most common complaints along the coast?

A majority of complaints received are from rural areas. Additionally, there have been several complaints against PDOs and VAs.

There are allegations suggesting that middlemen are becoming more prevalent. What’s your perspective?

It is advisable for the public to directly engage with government employees and officials for their affairs, bypassing intermediaries. Lokayukta is empowered to take action against any intermediary who may be aiding officials or employees in accepting bribes.

How can one file a complaint with Lokayukta?

Lokayukta offices are conveniently located in both districts. Simply visit the office, complete the specified forms, and submit your complaint.

Additionally, public relations meetings are held at the taluk level every second Wednesday of the month, providing an opportunity to submit complaints and receive reports.

For the DK District Superintendent of Police office, you may reach out at 0824-2950997 or on mobile at 9364062517. For the Udupi Lokayukta office, contact us at 0820-2958881 or on mobile at 7022883200.