BJP making unnecessary noise over ACB; such institution exists in Gujarat'

Bengaluru, Mar 21: V.S. Ugrappa, senior Congress leader and chairman, expert committee to suggest amendments to existing laws to prevent atrocities on women and children, while defending the State government's decision to set up the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), accused the Opposition BJP of creating an unnecessary controversy over the issue.

Responding to questions from presspersons on Sunday, Mr. Ugrappa said, “The Opposition BJP is desperate and wants to tarnish the image of the government. With that in view, its leaders are creating unnecessary controversy,” he said.

According to him, the constitution of the bureau was as per the directions of the Supreme Court and also the High Court of Karnataka and to ensure that the guilty did not go scot-free on technical grounds and ambiguity. “We have come across instances where cases against politicians, booked by the Lokayukta, were getting quashed,” he said and added that Karnataka was not the only State to set up the bureau in addition to the Lokayukta. Such institutions existed in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Mr. Ugrappa said that cases pertaining directly to corruption would be dealt with by the bureau, while cases of maladministration, among others, by government servants leading to loss to the exchequer will be dealt with by Lokayukta. If need be, the Lokayukta could take the help of the bureau in the investigation of cases.

BJP to take on government over formation of ACB

Bengaluru, Mar 21: The BJP?is planning to take on the ruling Congress in the ongoing budget session of the legislature for “diluting the powers of the Lokayukta” by constituting the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

The State government through, an executive order last week, divested the Karnataka Lokayukta of its powers to investigate corruption cases and created the ACB for the purpose. The move was met with opposition from various quarters on the ground that it was a deliberate attempt to kill the Lokayukta institution.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish?Shettar on Sunday said BJP?will move an adjournment motion against the government in the legislature on the issue. “We are planning to take on the government on ACB?and also on its failure to mitigate the sufferings of the people due to drought. Our leaders will meet and take a decision on Monday morning on which issue to take up first”, he said.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T?B?Jayachandra said there will be clarity on the “independency”of the ACB?once the government comes with a detailed notification and also a police manual spelling out the functioning and responsibilities of the ACB.

Shettar said the ACB?will be a puppet in the hands the state government. He said that the decision had been taken to protect Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and some of his Cabinet colleagues. Speculation was rife on Sunday that the?Congress high command had expressed its displeasure with Siddaramaiah for taking an unilateral decision on constituting the ACB.

The high command is said to have communicated to the State leadership that before taking any major decisions it should be first discussed in the party forum. However, no prominent leader confirmed the development.

To a query whether there had been any internal discussion on ACB in the party, Jayachandra evaded a direct reply. “Once the government passes an order, that's it”, he said.

Gagandeep appointed ADGP

The State Government has appointed senior IPS?officer K V Gagandeep as Additional Director General of Police of the newly constituted Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

M A Saleem has been appointed as Inspector General of Police in the ACB. Gagandeep is Principal Secretary to Home Department while Saleem is the Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic). The ACB?has also been given the status of a police station. Power to register cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and the authority to take up investigations will be vested with officers of the rank of DySP and above, official sources said.

Search is also on for a building to house the ACB?headquarters in Bengaluru. Office space in Khanija Bhavan on Race Course Road could be shortlisted, sources said.

Rethink ruled out

The State government on Sunday said it was firm on its decision to constitute the ACB and there will be no rethink.

Law Minister T?B? Jayachandra said, “We have taken a decision to constitute the ACB.?There is no question of going back. We are ready to face the opposition in the legislature. We will clarify our stand.”