BANGALORE: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has pulled up officers for not filing their statement of assets and liabilities. In fact, many legislators have also not filed their statements even though it’s way past the deadline of June 30.
Sixtythree MLAs and 16 MLCs have not submitted statements of assets and liabilities to the Lokayukta while 159 MLAs and 56 MLCs have submitted the statements this year, sources in Lokayukta told Express.
Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde said this is a common problem every year. “It is either ignorance or arrogance. They might have assets which they would not want to declare and get into trouble. Hence they avoid filing the statements,” he said.
Hegde said the elected representatives will get one more month’s time to file the statements after which notice will be served on them.
Names of those who do not file the declarations even after that will be sent to the office of Governor and the list will be published in newspapers, he said.
“There is a need for strict action. There is a legal provision for the Lokayukta office to act against those who fail to furnish their details and also against those who provide false information in their declarations,” Justice Hegde said. He said many were still unaware of this law.
“Currently the Lokayukta informs the Governor and a notice is sent to the defaulters. They should know that they can take suo moto action under IPC and they should do so,” he further added.