Karnataka ombudsman formally withdraws resignation

BANGALORE - Karnataka Lok Ayukta (ombudsman) N. Santosh Hegde Wednesday formally withdrew his resignation that he had submitted June 23 protesting the government’s indifference to fighting corruption.

Hegde met Governor H.R. Bhardwaj here and took back the resignation after explaining the reasons for withdrawing it. Hegde wanted the resignation to be effective Aug 31.

“I met the governor and have withdrawn the resignation,” Hegde, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, told reporters.

The ombudsman had earlier rejected Bhardwaj’s appeal to withdraw the resignation. He had also turned down similar pleas by union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, political parties and several organisations in Karnataka.

However Hegde, 70, changed his mind after a call from senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani July 3 and announced that he would be taking back the resignation.

Hegde came in for severe criticism form several political leaders and writers like Jnanpith awardee U.R. Ananthamurthy for saying he was withdrawing because of Advani’s plea while he had rejected similar appeals by the people of Karnataka.

Hegde has apologised to the people of the state for failing to mention that they too had appealed to him to stay and taking the name of only Advani while announcing he was taking back the resignation.

“I sincerely apologise to the people for my lapse,” Hegde told reporters Monday.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa Wednesday announced that a Upa Lokayukta (deputy ombudsman) will be appointed in four or five days. The post has been vacant for over six months and Hegde was unhappy that government had not shown any interest to fill up the post.

Yeddyurappa also met Congress and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leaders to work out a consensus on the additional powers to be given to the Lok Ayukta.

Hegde and his predecessor N. Venkatachala, also a retired Supreme Court, have been seeking powers to initiate action against senior officials and politicians without the need for a written complaint supported by an affidavit as stipulated by the existing rules governing the Lok Ayukta institution.

Hegde took over as Lok Ayukta in August 2006 for a five-year term.