Mangalore: Corrupt MPs, MLAs Causing Delay in Lokayukta Appointment - Governor
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Mangalore, Jan 16: Governor H S Bhardwaj during his visit to the city on Wednesday January 16 lashed out at the government for the undue delay in appointing Lokayukta and said that he will once urge the government to take urgent steps in this regard.
Speaking to reporters at the Circuit House here, he said, "The post of Lokayukta is still lying vacant. It is not good to delay it for so long. Most of the government MPs, MLAs, ministers and other leaders are indulging in corruption, and that is the reason they are delaying the appointment of Lokayukta," he said.
"I will urge the government to speed up the process, but will not give any deadlines" he added.
On the issue regarding the proposed Tipu Sultan University at Srirangapattana, wherein noted Kannada litterateurs like S L Byrappa and historian Chidananda Murthy had recently opposed the move of the government to name a univesity after an 'anti-Hindu' figure, the governor said that it was not good to oppose a university solely on the basis of its name.
"Tipu Sultan was a national hero and not limited to any particular caste or community. India is a secular country and there is nothing wrong in naming a university after him," he said.
"Those who are opposing the university should first know first history and then comment. It is not good for anyone within the state government to oppose as everyone will benefit from the university," he added.
"In the proposed Tipu Sultan University, 50 percent of the seats will be reserved for Muslims and other minorities, which is not bad at all," he said.
On the issue of the proposed ban on cow slaughter, when mediapersons asked if any religious leader had contacted him over the pending bill in the Assembly, he replied in the negative and said that he would not appreciate anyone contacting him on the matter.
"The issue of ban on cow slaughter has become more of a politcal issue than a religious one. Religious leaders should not intervene in political matters," he added.
On the Karnataka Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2012 that had caused much furore in the state assembly last month, the governor said that the goverment is not firm on what it wants to do and has no exact policy.
Among those present were deputy commissioner N Prakash and zilla panchayat CEO Dr Vijay Prakash.