Empower IT sector as well as society: Justice Hegde

BANGALORE, INDIA: Former Supreme Court judge and former Lokayukta of Karnataka, Justice Santosh Hegde, who is also hailed as the common man's hero, speaks on a wide range of topics, starting from the famed Anna Hazare anti-graft movement to the IT development that Karnataka has been witnessing in recent years.

Justice Hegde also takes us down memory lane, as he reminisces about the 'Old Bangalore' that he now misses very much.

Here are some excerpts from our interview with the anti-corruption crusader:

What do you think about Anna Hazare's movement that has taken India by storm?

Justice Hegde: I surely think that Anna has inspired millions of people to fight against corruption, which is growing at an alarming rate today. I can say with pride that Anna has succeeded in capturing the imagination of people across India, just by looking at the number of people who turn up by the millions to express their solidarity towards Anna.

The demand for Lokpal Bill will get more intense in the future and I am sure that the Prime Minister will surely pass the bill very soon.

Coming to Karnataka, which is termed as the IT hub, successive governments have concentrated only on IT development rather than empowering the farmers of the state. Your take on this.

Justice Hegde: Development has to take place, but not at the cost of acquiring farm lands, where agriculture is expected to thrive. My advice to governments will be identify lands (barren lands), which are not agricultural. Acquire them and convert them into industrial plots. Examine thoroughly as to whether industries, especially IT companies, can function without flouting norms. Then, it becomes easy for these industries to function in a hassle-free manner.

Also, remember to compensate the land owner from whom the land is acquired.

Is the corporate sector indirectly running the government?

Justice Hegde: In a way, yes, but governments shouldn't yield to the corporate sector and take away the livelihood of a farmer. As I have stated earlier, development should benefit both industries as well as society. So, the people should be in a position to differentiate IT and societal development. So, I would say that it is better to empower both the IT industry as well as society. If the equilibrium is lost, than an irreversible imbalance will be created and will effect either sectors in a big way.

Finally, speaking of Bangalore, kindly share with us some of the pleasant memories that you have had with the garden city.

Justice Hegde: I originally belong to the coastal region of Karnataka. I migrated to Bangalore in 1956. At that time, Bangalore was indeed the Garden City, the MG Road promenade (which is now history) was my favorite haunt. For the record, I used to often cycle from Lalbagh to Malleswaram. Take my words, I couldn't spot a single four-wheeler up till Malleswaram. Now, four-wheelers virtually clog every road in the city.

Bangalore was then called the 'Pensioners' Paradise'. I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy every moment in the city, though I miss the old-world feel.