The missing Venkatachala touch
By CT reporter
MANGALORE : ‘ We are not getting our pension, no water, road, underground drainage in mess, we are threatened by goondas." These are some samples of the complaints before the Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde at the Town Hall in the city recently. But, the style of functioning of the new Lokayukta very much lacked the Venkatachala touch which people were expecting of him.
Those wishing to air their grievance had to first file an application at the counter and later on the applicants were summoned one by one. Even the officials of the departments concerned were summoned and face to face the Lokayuka heard their grievance and sought an explanation from the officials. The officials gave some explanation to each and evey complaint with the Lokayukta patiently hearing them. At no time did he lose his patience and fired the officers. Thr result- the officials too heaved a sigh of relief, wuth the new Lokayukta they came to believe firmly, could not bring shivers down their spines.
When Abdul Rahiman of Salettur complained that the KSRTC officials were deliberately not introducing bus services on his route, the officer tried to give some vague explanation and also charged the petitioner of lying.
Reacting the Lokayukta, told the officer smilingly‘ Tell me the truth. I will note down as you say and in case something goes wrong, you will be in trouble,’ but the officer seemed not to have taken the Lokayukta’s words seriously at all.
When a certain Madhav of Attavar complained of impoper underground drainage, the Lokayukta summoned the officer and set a three month deadline.
However, the Lokayukta seemed to take seriously a complaint of a retired government officer who said he had not receivd pension even after eight years of retirement. Justice Hegde took the officer concerned to task and asked him to initate action.
It was common to see the petitioners returning with a suillen face with them having attended the meet wuth the hope that justice would be delivered to them on the spot.
MANGALORE : ‘ We are not getting our pension, no water, road, underground drainage in mess, we are threatened by goondas." These are some samples of the complaints before the Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde at the Town Hall in the city recently. But, the style of functioning of the new Lokayukta very much lacked the Venkatachala touch which people were expecting of him.
Those wishing to air their grievance had to first file an application at the counter and later on the applicants were summoned one by one. Even the officials of the departments concerned were summoned and face to face the Lokayuka heard their grievance and sought an explanation from the officials. The officials gave some explanation to each and evey complaint with the Lokayukta patiently hearing them. At no time did he lose his patience and fired the officers. Thr result- the officials too heaved a sigh of relief, wuth the new Lokayukta they came to believe firmly, could not bring shivers down their spines.
When Abdul Rahiman of Salettur complained that the KSRTC officials were deliberately not introducing bus services on his route, the officer tried to give some vague explanation and also charged the petitioner of lying.
Reacting the Lokayukta, told the officer smilingly‘ Tell me the truth. I will note down as you say and in case something goes wrong, you will be in trouble,’ but the officer seemed not to have taken the Lokayukta’s words seriously at all.
When a certain Madhav of Attavar complained of impoper underground drainage, the Lokayukta summoned the officer and set a three month deadline.
However, the Lokayukta seemed to take seriously a complaint of a retired government officer who said he had not receivd pension even after eight years of retirement. Justice Hegde took the officer concerned to task and asked him to initate action.
It was common to see the petitioners returning with a suillen face with them having attended the meet wuth the hope that justice would be delivered to them on the spot.
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