Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee has written to all principal secretaries to act on inquiry reports sent by Lokayukta against ‘guilty’ officials.
According to sources, the move of the Chief Secretary comes after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sought a report on action initiated by heads of various departments against officials who were named by the anti-corruption body in its reports. When contacted Siddaramaiah told Express: “Yes, I had sought a report in this regard a month back”.
As many as 70-80 officials of various departments were named in the reports for their acts of omissions and commissions. The letter seeks principal secretaries of all departments to expedite action against ‘tainted’ officials. Sources said a few IAS officers are also in the list. The letter has also sought the head of departments to refer the departmental inquiry back to the Lokayukta.
The letter also directed the heads of departments to take the inquiry reports submitted by the Lokayukta or the Upa Lokayukta seriously.
Depending upon the seriousness of the offence, principal secretaries concerned should immediately refer the departmental inquiry back to the Lokayukta as per Section 14 (A) of the Karnataka Civil Services Rules.
The principal secretaries have to take a decision whether departmental inquiry should be conducted by the Lokayukta or the Upa Lokayukta.
The government wants stern action to be initiated against the corrupt babus in order to streamline the administration. The Lokayukta had given a list of officials named in various violations to the Chief Secretary and had requested the government to initiate proceedings against them.
“There is no question of protecting anyone. Those who have committed mistake have to face action,” they said.
When contacted, Mukherjee confirmed about writing to all principal secretaries. He said it was an attempt by the government to provide a corruption-free administration and punish the guilty.
“I have been telling my officials to act quickly on the report by the Lokayukta. We need to respect the institution (Lokayukta) which has been acting tough on such officials,” he said.