Work on Lokayukta office building in Haveri to be completed in nine months

Lokayukta B.S. Patil laying the foundation stone for a new Lokayukta office building at Basaveshwar Nagar in Haveri on Monday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Lokayukta B.S. Patil on Monday laid the foundation stone for a new Lokayukta office building at Basaveshwar Nagar in Haveri and said that the contractor has been directed to complete the ₹4.15-crore project within nine months.Addressing a gathering after performing the bhoomi puja for the work, Mr. Patil said that the State government has allotted land for the Lokayukta office and issued the necessary administrative and work orders.The foundation stone was laid to ensure that construction commenced without any delay, he said.Officials of the Public Works Department and the contractor have promised that the building work will be completed within nine months, Mr. Patil said.Mr. Patil said that identifying lapses by government officials and employees, initiating action against those responsible and addressing injustice faced by members of the public are among the key responsibilities of the Lokayukta.The institution is continuously examining cases involving administrative lapses and corruption and bringing those responsible before the law.Government works, including roads and buildings, will also be inspected when complaints regarding poor quality are received, he said.The engineering wing of the Lokayukta is examining the quality of government buildings and other public works. Teams comprising senior engineers and technical experts are being deputed to identify deficiencies and submit reports.Action will be taken against those responsible based on the findings, Mr. Patil said.Pending casesMr. Patil said that 38,000-40,000 cases, including complaints and cases registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, are pending before the Lokayukta.As many as 36 judicial officers and hundreds of police personnel are working on these cases. At the district level, Lokayukta Superintendents of Police, Deputy Superintendents of Police and other staff are carrying out investigation and inquiries, he said.He said that the Lokayukta is also taking steps to rectify defective government works in addition to ensuring that those found guilty are punished according to law.Mr. Patil said that the new Haveri office building should be among the best government buildings in the district and serve as a model.The Public Works Department and the contractor are responsible for ensuring quality construction and timely completion of work, while the Lokayukta will inspect the work.Upalokayuktas K.N. Phaneendra and B. Veerappa, Additional Director-General of Police Manish Kharbikar, Davangere Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Kaulapure, Deputy Commissioner of Haveri Vijayamahantesh Danammanavar, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Daljit Kumar, Additional Superintendent of Police Lakshman Shirkol and others were present. Published - August 24, 2026 07:51 pm IST