Former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde stressed the need of ‘Rajadharma’ (Good Governance) in the present political scenario of the country.
Delivering Prof Dr N Sridhar Shetty Annual Endowment Lecture on ‘Is Good Governance a Right of the Citizen in a Democracy or Not’ at A B Shetty Dental College on Monday, he stressed on the role of the ordinary citizens in preventing corruption.
Efforts to end corruption have to come from the top order of the country. It is impossible for the people to find a solution for this menace otherwise, Justice Hegde said.
“Corruption in Independent India is an issue from the early 60s. People are not welcome in government offices unless they go with the bribe to please the officials. Former prime minister Rajeev Gandhi had said that only 15% of the funds are reaching to the people. About 85% of all funds disappear on the way to different pockets. Present Prime Minister Narendra Modi also had made similar statements. Many people at higher offices acknowledge the presence of corruption. The question is not about how many (people) acknowledge the presence of corruption. But who can bell the cat is the issue. The youth of India only can address the issue and it is possible only through collective actions,” Justice Hegde added.
He stated the need for effective implementation of the Lokpal Bill throughout the country and said awareness needs to be created among the general public regarding their constitutional rights.
Accepting the felicitation, Prof Dr N Sridhar Shetty thanked the alumni of the college for the institution this annual endowment lecture and he called upon the alumni to contribute their knowledge in taking the institution to greater heights.
Nitte Deemed to be University Pro-Chancellor Prof Shantharam Shetty, Chancellor N Vinay Hegde, VC Prof B Satheesh Bhandary and others were among those present on the occasion.
An online web portal of the alumni associationof the college was launched and alumnus certificates were distributed.