Mangalore: Talking to Excise Commissioners and Customs/service Tax/ Central Excise officials on Friday (November 4) in city during Vigilance Awareness Week, former Lokayukta, N. Santosh Hedge impressed upon them on the need of an audit system for annual attendance, conduct and performance of elected representatives in public life, and when they failed in their duty or committed crimes, citizens could recall them and criticize them.
In a survey made during 2004-2009 fairly recent it was found that 174 of 540 (say 30%) MPs in Parliament spoke hardly once in a session, while others did not participate in its discussions. Many did not attend the LS sessions. Why they were sent there at all? Such poor performance has to be audited, to give best possible service to voters.
Justice Hedge made a sweeping attack on all 3 wings of the nation in power for failing the people. Corruption has been rampant in many fields, so that NGOs and corporates need be considered now as in public service.
MVS choudhary, Central Commissioner, also spoke, but about honest officers. Talking to pressmen later, Justice Hegde was sceptic about a really powerful Lokpal Bill coming into effect.