Gujarat government to bring new Lokayukta bill, Guv’s role erased
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- Current News
- Saturday, 23 March 2013 15:25
- Published on Saturday, 23 March 2013 15:25
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Gujarat Global News Network, Ahmedabad
In a soup following the SC’s dismissal of its petition against appointment of Justice RA Mehta as Gujarat Lokayukta, the Gujarat government has decided to bring a new Lokayukta Aayog Bill 2013 in the state Assembly.
As per the new bill a six-member selection panel headed by the Chief Minister will be set up for the selection of the Gujarat Lokayukta. The Speaker of the Assembly, state Law Minister, Leader of the Opposition and two experts will be included as members. The new bill, on its enactment, would replace the existing Gujarat Lokayukta Act 1989.
"We have decided to introduce a new Lokayukta Aayog Bill 2013 in the state Assembly on March 26," Finance Minister and state spokesperson Nitin Patel said. "As per the new provisions, for the first time, Chief Minister of the state has been brought within the purview of the Lokayukta at par with other ministers," Patel added.
As per the new bill, the governor will not have any role in the appointment of the Lokayukta. The amendment bill also proposes to bring office-bearers of local bodies under the ambit of Lokayukta. Last year, the governor had objected to expansion of ambit of the Lokayukta on the grounds that the amendment may divert the purpose of the original Lokayukta Act.
The Governor had further claimed that expansion of the workload by inclusion of the office-bearers from panchayat to municipalities will make Lokayukta unable to focus on his primary work as lokayukta would be a single person and may not be able to handle the expanded workload.
A notice was circulated on Friday, with the copy of the draft bill, informing that Gujarat Lokayukta Aayog Bill 2013 will be introduced in the House on March 26, 2013.
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