New Delhi: Dubbing the current version of the
government Lokpal Bill a "mere formality", Uttarakhand Chief
Minister BC Khanduri on Monday said such an ombudsman cannot curb
corruption.
"It's too premature to speak on it (the Lokpal Bill under
consideration of the Parliamentary Committee). But the way
they are talking, it seems to be a mere formality... It is not
correct. What's the use of having a mere formality on the
issue of Lokpal as it will have no control over corruption,"
he told reporters here.
Khanduri said his state has made an effort to set up a
Lokayukta institution which is above administrative and
financial "pressures" to deal with corruption.
The Uttarakhand legislation, on the lines of the Jan
Lokpal Bill prepared by Team Anna, will cover ministers,
including the chief minister and government servants
including IAS and IPS officers, besides the lower judiciary.
The bill provides for minimum punishment of six months
and the maximum of life imprisonment. It will also have former
chief ministers, ministers and retired officers under its
purview but leaves Uttarakhand High Court judges out of it.
The Lokayukta will consist of a chairperson and five
members with a scope of increasing the number to seven as per
the requirement.
PTI
First Published: Monday, December 05, 2011, 15:49