Yesterday Karnataka Lokayukta was in Goa to interact with civil society on
Lokayukta Bill. The seminar was organized by The International Centre. But when
he learnt from a 3rd party that the event was sponsored by a member of the
tainted mining lobby, he refused to be hosted and bore all expenses (Air
travel, local travel, hotel) himself. He even refused to join the lunch. Why
did organizers keep him in dark about the sponsorship of the very same mafia
lobby, against whom he is fighting relentlessly? Many salutes to Hegdeji for
showing Goan Civil society champions the way they should conduct themselves.
Why were corrupt politicians allowed to occupy centre stage in today's
interactions with Santosh Hegde? Organizers (Nandini Sahay, Satish Sonak,
Sandesh Prabhudessai) allowed Rane, Shantaram Naik and Khalap to hog limelite.
One can understand Rane being the speaker (supposed to be neutral) and chairman
of International Centre was allowed to speak. But what ideas did Shantaram and
Khalap bring to the table?
Shantaram, rather made a fool of himself by asking Hegde to maintain his
reputation by not sharing the Lokayukta committee membership along with the 5
ministers, thereby implying that the 5 congress ministers were tainted.
What was more insulting was that while Hegde came on time at 10 am and occupied
his chair, Rane came a good 40 minutes late. Sandesh Prabhudessai needs to be
appreciated for suggesting that the media and the NGOs also need to be brought
under Lokayukta.
Rajendra
