Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde?s last week in office has, perhaps, been his most action-packed one in five years. It witnessed the completion of his final report on illegal mining which cost BS Yeddyurappa his job as the chief minister of Karnataka. Hegde, who retires on Tuesday after completing his tenure at the anti-corruption agency, tells FE?s Ajay Sukumaran that the mining report was the single biggest job he undertook but he does not expect to see a revamping of the system which the report has exposed.
We have already seen the political fallout (sacking of Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa) of the report. What would you expect in terms of a result from this report?
The political fallout does not concern me. It is left to the political parties to create situations for or against themselves. I have only sent a report in regard to certain factual illegalities from which the state is suffering. Therefore, in this background, we felt that this should be brought to the notice of the government. So we have sent a report. It may have political repercussions and it may have administrative repercussions.
You have given suggestions for revamping the system. Do you really see changes happening?
I don?t foresee any such changes being brought in. I would say only an independent body from outside Karnataka, not a single person, given enough time alone can see that these irregularities are stopped. And persons responsible, or more persons which it may find in the process, face legal consequences. I don?t think it will stop easily.
Apart from government officials, you have mentioned over 100 companies involved in mining and export. Has this come as a surprise to you?
No. For a long time now, we have been getting information about the involvement of not only individuals but also companies, well known companies. Some of them are now reacting rather violently, threatening legal action and what not. I think we have done it legitimately, impartially, without any malice. We have recommended action against such companies also.
When you started off on this report what were your thoughts about the enormity of the task and taking `important? people head-on?
I really didn?t know….but now we have come to know with the required documents. For me it made little difference because I don?t have to think much about myself or my future. But I was really feeling sorry and worried about my officers who have a long future. They may have to face a lot of harassment from all these people, the so-called `sufferers? of this report.
After being in the judiciary, in what way has this assignment shaped your thoughts?
Well, I never knew all my life ? I?m 72 now ? that the government could be so very indifferent. Deliberately indifferent, towards such huge…I won?t call it a scam though I suppose it is a scam also where huge amount of money belonging to the government has been secreted by certain companies and a portion of it has been shared by many in the seat of power, be it a bureaucrat or a political seat of power.
You have said there is a bit of disappointment when you look back at your tenure? Why is that?
Many, many respects, you know. There are many recommendations made by this institution which have not been accepted or implemented. There is an element of disappointment because we have worked hard and found there is something wrong — we have asked the wrong to be rectified and the government is not doing it.