Lokayukta Must Be Empowered: LSP

Even as it welcomed the proposed amendments to the Lokayukta Act to cover more people's representatives and public sector employees, the Lok Satta Party (LSP) said on Wednesday that corruption could not be eradicated if the Lokayukta remained toothless.

LSP Working President D V V S Varma recalled the Second Administrative Reforms Commission's observation that the failure to tackle corruption at the top level led to its becoming rampant. So, he said, the mere extension of the Lokayukta's jurisdiction cover more people would not solve the problem. Moreover, the Lokayukta in Andhra Pradesh, unlike its counterpart in Karnataka, does not have the powers to raid the corrupt and take action, he pointed out.

Varma opined that the Lokayukta should be strengthened with enough powers, resources and personnel. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Vigilance Department should be brought under the control of the Lokayukta.

Varma also demanded that the Prevention of Corruption Act be amended along the lines of the draft bill proposed by the Lok Satta Party President, Jayaprakash Narayan, in 2009.

The bill envisages the bringing of all elected people's representatives, including MLAs, under the purview of the ACB, the constitution of special courts in all districts to pursue corruption cases, the attachment of the properties of the guilty, and the bringing in of all anti-corruption institutions like the ACB, Vigilance Department and the administrative tribunals under the purview of the Lokayukta.

Varma appealed to all parties fulminating against corruption to transcend their political differences and join hands in getting the Prevention of Corruption Act amended.

Courtesy: INN