House passes Lokayukta Bill
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 22 2011:
The Manipur Lokayukta Bill, 2011, which was introduced by the government of Manipur only on December 20 with the stated objective of checking corruption and inquiring into allegations of corruption against public functionaries, has been passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly after a brief discussion today.
Although the post of Chief Minister has been brought under the jurisdiction of Lokayukta, the Speaker has been kept out its ambit.
Moving the Bill to pass in the House, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh observed that corruption is becoming a serious social malaise in the country today and the issue is being hotly debated in the Parliament.
As in other states of the country, Manipur is also committed to rooting out corruption from the top to the bottom level.
The state government has drafted the Manipur Lokayukta Bill, 2011 on the model being followed in other states like Karnataka, Jharkhand, Assam and Tripura.
During discussion on passing the Bill, fire-brand Opposition MLA O Joy of MPP raised strong objection to provision of seeking prior approval of the State Assembly for investigation into corrupt charges against an individual holding the post of Chief Minister and argued that such provisions would defeat the very purpose of establishing Lokayukta.
Being the leader of the majority group in the House, any request for investigation against the Chief Minister may be defeated.
The competent authority over the Chief Minister must be the Governor and not the Assembly.
After all, it is the Governor who appoints the Chief Minister, O Joy pointed out.
Responding to that, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh asserted that Lokayukta is a kind of court to which even the Chief Justice of High Court, Opposition leader, Speaker, etc are answerable.
If the court finds prima facie evidence against the Chief Minister, there is no reason why the Assembly should not give its approval for investigation.
Making of State Assembly as the competent authority is the model being followed in Tripura as well.
Ibobi proposed for passing the Bill and pointed out that necessary amendment for effective implementation of Lokayukta could be made in due course of time.
Congress MLA Ratankumar supported the move of the Chief Minister and maintained that the Bill should be cleared as of now since necessary amendments could be made afterward.
Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam of NCP, MLA RK Anand, Dr I Ibohalbi and Speaker I Hemochandra were also among other members who shared their opinions on the Bill before it was unanimously passed by the House.