The JD(S) on Friday accused the state government of shielding corrupt ministers by not appointing Lokayukta, head of the anti-corruption agency, in the state.
“The government is trying to protect corrupt ministers. The High Court had castigated the government on delay in appointing Lokayukta and if the court passes any strictures against the government, in a related PIL, the CM has to resign,” JD(S) MLC M C Nanaiah said seeking to move an adjournment motion on the issue.
Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy refused to allow any discussion on the subject as the issue of appointment of Lokayukta and Upalokayukta is before the High and Supreme Courts. Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said, “The matter is before courts and we will abide by its directions.”
“We want to appoint Lokayukta and probe cases related to corruption as we aspire for clean administration. Pending litigations, and not lack of political will, is delaying the appointment processes.”
Council gets Dy Chairperson
BJP MLC Vimala Gowda was on Friday re-elected as the Deputy Chairperson of Legislative Council. CM Jagadish Shettar, Council Opposition Leader S R Patil congratulated Gowda, who was elected unopposed.
Staff Crunch Hurting Govt Hospitals
There is an acute shortage of doctors in the state especially in the rural areas where doctors seem reluctant to go. Replying to a question on the shortage of doctors, Health and Family Welfare Minister Aravind Limbavali told the Legislative Council that 1,348 posts of general practitioners and 899 posts of specialists are lying vacant in the state.
“Vacancies are not affecting people and the government is taking steps to appoint more doctors. In some cases, doctors are managing two hospitals by working three days a week in each hospital,” he says.
“The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recently initiated a process to appoint 600 doctors. 252 doctors applied and all of them were called for counselling to be given postings. Among them 137 selected the place of whom only 75 reported to work,” the minister added.
The government has directed deputy commissioners of the respective districts to appoint 155 doctors on contract basis, while services of specialists are being taken under the National Rural Health Mission by paying them `50,000 to 70,000 as monthly salary, he said.
