Eradicating corruption is collective responsibility: Upa Lokayukta B. Veerappa

Upa Lokayukta Justice B. Veerappa receives grievances from the public at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi on Friday.

“It seems all of us have collectively nurtured the demon of corruption within society. It is impossible to eradicate corruption solely through the Lokayukta or any other institution. Every individual in society must resolve to eliminate it,’’ Upa Lokayukta Justice B. Veerappa said in Belagavi on Friday.

He was speaking after inaugurating a pending cases disposal camp pertaining to the Belagavi and Bailhongal subdivisions, at the Central Hall of the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.

“In these critical times, when the legislature and the executive appear to be faltering, it seems that the judiciary and the media, often termed the ‘fourth pillar’ of democracy, are also becoming increasingly ineffective. Yet, whenever injustice occurs in society, the judiciary and the press continue to uphold the Constitution by raising their voices,” he said.

“The Karnataka Lokayukta has left a distinct mark in the country through its impartial investigations and operations. Nevertheless, it is not always possible to ensure justice for everyone. Society and families should socially boycott those who engage in corruption,” he said.

“If corruption is eradicated, India will become a powerful nation. Society itself is responsible for the rise in the number of educated fraudsters. Society is heading toward a state of decline because people accept money in exchange for their votes during elections. Things will only improve if society changes. If we set aside selfishness and banish the demon of corruption, India will become the world’s most powerful nation. Corruption has now turned into a competition, and nature itself is sounding an alarm. We must realize this,” he said.

He quoted Rashtrakavi Kuvempu who had advocated Sarvarigu Sama Balu, Sarvarigu Sama Palu (equal share for all, equal life for all) . “This is in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution of India’s assurance of equal rights have been granted to everyone. We should follow this,” he said.

“However, even eight decades of independence, constitutional rights remain a distant mirage for a significant portion of the population. We fight solely for our rights, yet there is a visible lack of interest regarding our duties across all sectors. While we may take a pledge to work without corruption, we simultaneously engage in corrupt practices,” he said.

“As a result of the persistent efforts of the Lokayukta institution, the government has issued an order mandating the allotment of housing sites to all ex-servicemen and their legal heirs in their respective districts or taluks. This government order follows a year and a half of continuous advocacy. The process of identifying and distributing these sites must now be carried out on a war footing,” he said.

The Upa Lokayukta expressed concern that the filing of false cases , often by individuals acting as proxies, was delaying the adjudication of genuine matters and the delivery of justice. He issued a stern warning that complainants who file false cases against government officials could face up to three years in imprisonment. “The Lokayukta has the authority to take strict action against officials found to be negligent in the discharge of their duties. Officials should perform their work with diligence, caution, and integrity,” he said.