BENGALURU: The Union government is formulating a model Lokayukta Bill, which could be replicated by states, said Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala on Thursday.
Speaking at a programme to mark Lokayukta Day, the governor said the institution should be entrusted with punitive powers.
“The role of retired judges (in the Lokayukta) has been reduced to writing reports alone, and this is not right,” he said.
The Lokayukta, in turn, should ensure that the accused do not get away simply because due process was not followed, the governor noted.
Stating that a corruption-free country is everybody’s dream, he added that children should be taught to fight against corruption and not tolerate it.
“Stealing and lying are often considered part of human behaviour. But today, corruption and rape too are becoming common like these,” he said.
Former Lokayukta Justice Santhosh Hegde said the new Lokayukta Act, 2014, will abolish the grievance redresal system, which will be an inconvenience to people.
Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao said awareness should be created among people about the Lokayukta institution.