Educated fraudsters increasing in society, says Veerappa
Upa Lokayukta B. Veerappa on Friday expressed concern over the rise of “educated fraudsters” in society and said the Lokayukta had emerged as a nightmare
Upa Lokayukta B. Veerappa on Friday expressed concern over the rise of “educated fraudsters” in society and said the Lokayukta had emerged as a nightmare for corrupt officials by ensuring accountability and punishment for wrongdoers. Inaugurating a grievance hearing programme for complaints registered in Bidar district at the Poojya Shri Channabasava Pattadevar Rangamandir in Bidar, Mr. Veerappa said the Lokayukta was one of the strongest and most autonomous institutions in the country, which had, in the past, taken action against even Chief Ministers and Ministers. He said citizens facing difficulties in securing services or justice could approach the Lokayukta, which would take steps to resolve genuine grievances. The institution had also initiated suo motu proceedings in several cases involving public interest and has delivered justice, he added.
Veerappa said the Lokayukta had conducted raids against several officials involved in corruption and those found possessing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. Officials who failed to discharge their duties responsibly had been taught appropriate lessons through legal action, he said. Recalling his tenure as Chairman of the Legal Services Authority, he said nearly 1.8 crore cases had been resolved through extensive outreach programmes conducted across villages. Many problems could be solved if both officials and citizens responded responsibly, he observed. He urged citizens and government servants alike to fulfil their respective rights and duties. Complainants, he said, should pursue their grievances to their logical conclusion without fear and without withdrawing midway. Social and voluntary organisations should actively fight injustice, he added. Expressing concern over ethical decline, Mr. Veerappa said officials should not treat public office as a licence for corruption.
“While many honest officers continued to serve with integrity, corrupt officials were still too many. Educated fraudsters and anti-national elements are increasing in society,” he remarked. He cautioned against the pursuit of wealth through dishonest means, saying ill-got money ultimately brought misery. “Many officials who had amassed huge fortunes through corrupt practices had later led unhappy lives and regretted their actions,” he said. Stressing the importance of values and character, Mr. Veerappa said children must be taught good values from an early age. “Corruption could be eradicated only if society became more value-based and ethical. Society remembered personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, Basaveshwara, and Subhas Chandra Bose for their contributions, not merely for the wealth they accumulated,” he said. The Upa Lokayukta also noted a growing trend of false complaints and said nearly 40,000 such cases were pending.
The BriefWire