6 netas yet to declare assets

BANGALORE: Six MLAs and MLCs have failed to declare assets to the Lokayukta on time and their names have been sent to the Governor for action.The public representatives who did not declare their assets are Indi MLA Sarvabhouma Bagali (BJP), Kumata MLA Dinakara Shetty (JD-S), Hadagali MLA Chandra Naik (BJP), Ramanagaram MLA K Raju (JD-S), MLCs Puttanna (JD-S) and A V Gayantri Shantegowda (Congress).Two BJP, three JD(S) and one Congress member now face the Lokayukta heat.Lokayukta Justice Shivaraj V Patil told reporters that though the legislators were given time till September 1 to declare their assets, they failed to do so.Though MLCs Puttanna and Gayatri Shantegowda declared their assets just after September 1, they were not accepted, he said.“In keeping with Section 22 of the Lokayukta Act, their names have been sent to the Governor for necessary action,” he added.Meanwhile, the Lokayukta would issue showcause notices to them and public notices will be published in three state-level newspapers.Though the Lokayukta has no power to take suo motu action against them, it may take action if a complaint is registered by anyone, he said.According to the Lokayukta Act, all MLAs and MLCs are bound to declare their assets before the Lokayukta on or before June 30.If they do not submit the details, they are given two months’ time.If they still fail to do so, their names would be sent to the Governor for action.