Goa Lokayukta only after Assembly poll?
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 30 August 2011 14:50 IST
IAC activists outside CM's house
Goa may get a Lokayukta only after the new Assembly is constituted, in spite of a fact that Goa has the best draft of the Lokayukta bill, which was even passed by the Assembly four years ago.
Chief minister Digambar Kamat however has assured India Against Corruption recently that he would try and pass the act in the coming Assembly session, probably to be held in October.
Justice Santosh Hegde, during his visit to Goa as Lokayukta of Karnataka two months ago, had publicly praised the draft bill of Goa, stating that it is better than Karnataka or any other state.
The Lokayukta bill was tabled in Goa Assembly in 2003, during the tenure of Manohar Parrikar.
Digambar Kamat was also a minister in the Parrikar cabinet at the time.
The bill however came up for passing in the House only after four years, to be passed on 27 April 2007.
It was sent to the governor for assent on 11 August 2007.
The then governor however referred it to the President of India since some of the articles were falling in the ambit of entry no 45 of the Concurrent list in the schedule III and VII of the Constitution of India.
According to information gathered, the union ministry of Law and justice raised certain observations related to clause no 19 of the bill.
Similarly, the union ministry of Personnel and Grievances and Pensions, as well as the Department of Personnel and Training has raised certain observations.
It has also been cited that some of the provisions of Goa Lokayukta bill are not repugnant to the provisions of Public Corruption Act as well as Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
Clause 18 of the Goa Lokayukta Bill 2003 also appeared to be contrary to the provisions of section 22 of the Right to Information Act.
Due to these reservations expressed by several departments of the union government, Digambar Kamat government decided to withdraw the bill and introduce a new draft.
Accordingly, a notice was given on 29 March this year, seeking permission of the House to withdraw the bill.
However, the matter did not come up as the House was adjourned with the BJP boycotting the proceedings on the issue of drugs mafia.
Even if a fresh notice is given to withdraw the bill in the coming session, the October session would probably be the last Assembly session before the House is proposed to be dissolved for fresh Assembly polls, probably by April.
The new bill could thus be presented only in the new Assembly that would be constituted after the polls.
It is however not known why the government cannot present the same bill for consideration after making amendments based on objections raised by the President of India.
Only in that case, the same bill could be passed and made an act before the existing Assembly is dissolved.
one thing appears to be certain and that is when the Lokayukta would be appointed for Goa--he will have to work overtime. Every State trying to make its own draft appears ridiculous. There should have been a standard draft for all the States as the motive behind setting Lokayukta remains the same for every State...
CORRUPTION is really a menace in Goa - We are eagerly waiting for passing of the 'Lokpal or Lokayukta bill' so that the GUILTY COULD BE PUNISHED and WE GET JUSTICE
Facts:-
After submitting the required documents to the concerned Authorities & toiling for 8 months to get justice, ''The Demolition Order' was issued by the Dy. Collector to demolish the PROVEN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE, but this was not executed because of the 'POLITICAL PRESSURE'.