H.D.Revanna: no time to declare assetsBangalore: First, they did not pay their telephone bills and rentals. And now they have not declared their assets (and liabilities) to the Lok Ayukta: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda's son and state Housing Minister H.D. Revanna and other colleagues are among the 26 ministers of the only JD government in the country who are yet to declare their assets before the Lok Ayukta.Under the Karnataka Lok Ayukta Act 1984, every public servant has to file his list of assets and liabilities before June 30 every year. But as Siddaramaiah says: "We will attend to these things soon after we finish our (election) campaigns."Meanwhile, an unsuccessful but regular contestant in the elections - both Lok Sabha and Assembly - for almost 30 years, Hottepaksha Rangaswamy, recently filed a petition before the Karnataka High Court on the issue. The petition sought a directive to restrict public servants who have not declared their assets from contesting the forthcoming polls.Following Rangaswamy's petition, the court issued notices to the state chief secretary and Lok Ayukta registrar regarding implementation of the Act. Four ministers and several ruling party legislators have filed their nominations for the polls. And, despite the reminders, declaration of assets seems to be the last thing on their minds right now.Published By: AtMigration Published On: Feb 9, 1998--- ENDS ---
