Lokayukta will go to Guv for assent: CM
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 20 February 2013 21:20 IST
The government has decided to send the controversial Lokayukta amendment bill to the governor for his assent.
However, chief minister Manohar Parrikar said he would make all the necessary amendments in the forthcoming budget session in March “as soon as Prashant Bhushan sends his draft.”
Aam Aadmi Party leader Adv Prashant Bhushan had assured the CM to send a draft of amendments to Lokayukta act, based on Uttarakhand act.
Meanwhile, several organizations, including the opposition Congress, have urged Governor Vir Kumar Wanchoo not to give assent to the controversial bill.
The bill was passed in the winter session, amidst public uproar.
Two sections, relating to vacating office by the public functionary and heavy fine and imprisonment imposed for a false and vexatious complaint, were objected to by India Against Corruption as well as others.
The IAC had also urged the government to stick to its election promise and amend the Lokayukta act on the lines of Uttarakhand Lokayukta act.
Bowing down before public pressure, Parrikar has finally agreed to do it, but would send the passed bill to the governor for his assent.
“There are also other clauses which need to be assented to, like appointing retired supreme court judge or retired high court chief justice as the Lokayukta”, he said.
In fact, the cabinet today approved Justice P Sudarshan Reddy as Goa’s first Lokayukta.
“Mr Bhushan has assured me to send the draft by 5 March, but I could take it up even if it is sent by 15 March”, said Parrikar.
He appeared to having no problem with other amendments, but still sticks to the amendment of punishing people for false complaint.
“I have no problem in defining what is false and vexatious”, he added.
