Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Jun 22: "I am never driven by the desire to get publicity among the public or create unnecessary fear in the minds of officials. My clear vision is to work honestly to bring down corruption in Karnataka as much as possible," explained state Lokayukta, Justice P Vishwanath Shetty.

He was speaking after he was felicitated by Bar Association here at the courts complex on the evening of Wednesday June 21.

The Lokayukta said that he has asked officials to visit government departments in plainclothes, collect information about the goings on there and furnish reports thereof. "Whenever we find that reports contain incidents of corruption, suo moto cases are being registered and steps are initiated against the guilty. My desire is to see that the benefits of various schemes implemented by state and central governments for the welfare of people reach all the people for whose benefit they were created. Lokayukta will monitor failures of vested interests that might create bottlenecks in the implementation of these schemes," he explained.

Justice Shetty observed that even people from rural and poor family backgrounds can scale new heights if they put in strenuous efforts to reach their goals. "In a democracy, everyone is provided with equal opportunities. We should make use of the opportunities which come our way, and work for the benefit of the society which has helped us grow. I am rich with the asset of long-standing love and affectionate relationships, and Lord has granted everything to me. During my term as the Lokayukta, I want to serve the society in a satisfactory manner. Although I want to visit all the bar associations in the state and meet the advocates and people there, my preference would be on settling of cases that are pending since long," he stated. He also observed that every advocate who gets involved with the process of getting justice tastes success if he is backed by enough advance preparation.

President of the Bar Association here, Bannadi Somanath Hegde, presided. Judge of additional district court, Prakash Khanderi, participated as guest. Secretary of the association, Ravishchandra Shetty, judges, D P Kumaraswamy, Lavanya H N, Praveen Kumar, Chandrashekhar Bankar, public prosecutor, Harishchandra Udyavar, assistant public prosecutor, Sumangala Naik, senior advocates, A B Shetty, Gadahad Ramakrishna Rao, G Santoshkumar Shetty, T B Shetty, and Ravikiran Murdeshwar, were present.

Advocate, B Somanath Hegde, welcomed. Manjunath Giliyar presented the programme. Rajaram Shetty delivered introductory address. Ravishchandra Shetty proposed vote of thanks.