City RTI team meets Hegde over TN Lok Ayukta

CHENNAI: After their successful meeting with the Karnataka Lok Ayukta Justice Santhosh Hegde in Bangalore on Monday, the city-based Right to Information Movement (RIM) that has been spearheading a campaign to set up a similar authority in the State is likely to present a draft suggestion on ‘TN Lok Ayukta’ to the Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa in another three weeks.Speaking to City Express, John Lopez, President and Chief Executive of the movement, said, “Along with RIM’s two office-bearers, I met Hegde in Bangalore and sought his advice, guidance and support in pressurising the TN government to set up a Lok Ayukta.”“Based on the suggestions made by Justice Santhosh Hegde, a draft suggestion on instituting Lok Ayukta in in the state would be presented to Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa soon,” Lopez told City Express. “The meeting, which lasted for about 20 minutes, was a cordial and a path breaking effort for RIM,” he added.To help developing the draft suggestion for the State, Justice Hegde has handed over a book containing the Karnataka Lok Ayukta Act to the RIM team, which would be studying it thoroughly before releasing the draft suggestion.“Our expert team will prepare a workable draft suggestion for setting up Lok Ayukta in the State in another 15 to 20 days, and the same would be presented before Justice Hegde. With his consent, it will be handed over to the Chief Minister here,” Lopez added.It may be noted that RIM had already handed over a memorandum to the Chief Minister on June 7 seeking the establishment of a Lok Ayukta by the state government, similar to the one existing in Karnataka.