Law Com proposes Spl courts to probe corrupt politicians
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 19 September 2011 20:40 IST
Ramakant Khalap & C A Coutinho presenting Lokayukta draft to CM
The law commission today presented the draft of new Lok Ayukta bill to chief minister Digambar Kamat.
“We will introduce this bill in the forthcoming Assembly session”, Kamat later told media persons.
The two-day Assembly session would be held on 5 and 7 October.
The draft bill was presented to the CM by law commission chairman Adv Ramakant Khalap, along with its members Adv Mario Pinto Almeida and Adv Cleofato Almeida Coutinho.
The salient features of the new draft of Lok Ayukta are as follows:
1. The Goa Lokayukta will be empowered to enquire suo moto as well as on complaint and reference by Government into all allegations of corruption favouritism, nepotism, lack of integrity, etc.
2. The Lokayukta will be empowered to take action against all functionaries including Chief Minister, Ministers, M.L.A.s, and all Government servants as well as office bearers of local bodies, Municipalities, Zilla Parishads, Panchayats, Co-operative Societies, Societies, Government Companies, NGOs and individuals getting grant of more than Rs. One lakh from Government or Foreign or public contributions.
3. A High Court Judge will alone be qualified to be Lokayukta or Upa-Lokayukta.
4. The Lokayukta will have its own Investigation and Prosecution Wings.
5. Special Courts will be established to try the offenders.
6. No previous sanction or authorization will be required to take cognizance of any complaint or to investigate into any offence of corruption or to prosecute an offender.
7. All public functionaries will be liable to disclose their assets.
8. Disproportionate Assets will be confiscated. Bank accounts may be frozen.
9. Pending enquiry a public functionary may be transferred or suspended.
10. Every Department shall publish its Citizens Charter and update it regularly.
It would be a good step to bring some probity in public life, to pass the Bill in the coming Assembly Session even if it requires extending the session.
The present day scenario in the Country has caused the complete loss of credibility and faith in the system and only steps such as installing an effective "Lokayukta" without delay could help in restoring some faith, of the common man in the degenerated system, to some extent...