Mandya: The Karnataka government faced a fresh round of embarrassment on Thursday after Upalokayukta Justice B Veerappa stated that the state ranks fifth among the country's most corrupt states. He warned that graft is overflowing in every department.
The former Karnataka High Court judge, known as the Judge of the common man for promoting accessible and speedy justice delivery, said that 1,281 cases of corruption were registered across 16 districts in the state.
The Upalokayukta's salvo comes amid sustained attacks from the opposition BJP and JD(S) over graft allegations against the Siddaramaiah-led dispensation.
Speaking after disposing of pending Lokayukta cases in Mandya and Malavalli taluks on Thursday, Veerappa said: Corruption is overflowing in every department of the state. If this menace is not curbed, a grave danger awaits us. Change must come from both officials and citizens. He cited Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranked India 91st among 180 countries with a score of 39 out of 100. Though India's score of 39 marked an improvement over previous years, it still remained below the global average of 42, according to the index.
Sounding a warning for corrupt government officials, Veerappa said: Officials have been given the authority to serve the people. They must discharge their duties honestly and with dedication. Otherwise, action will have to be taken.
Further illustrating the point, he cited the Constitution drafted by Dr B R Ambedkar, saying it was meant to guarantee equal opportunity to all citizens. Appointed Upalokayukta by the Congress government in 2024, Veerappa earlier headed the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, where he oversaw the disposal of a record one crore pre-litigation and pending cases through Lok Adalats, setting a national benchmark. He also played a key role in the state government's decision to offer a 50 percent rebate on traffic fines, a move that boosted revenue collection.
Corruption Cases Across Districts
The Upalokayukta revealed that the 1,281 corruption cases were spread across 16 districts, highlighting the pervasive nature of graft in the state. He emphasized that urgent action is required to curb this menace before it leads to grave consequences.
Transparency International Rankings
Veerappa referenced the Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, which placed India at 91st position globally with a score of 39. While this marks an improvement over previous years, it remains below the global average of 42, indicating significant room for improvement in tackling corruption.
The Karnataka government has been under pressure from opposition parties over allegations of corruption, and the Upalokayukta's remarks have further intensified the scrutiny. The state administration now faces the challenge of addressing these concerns and restoring public trust.
