IAC objects to non-transparency of Govt on Lokayukta

The IAC Goa chapter has objected to the non-transparency on the part of Goa Govt. regarding Goa Lokayukta Rules approved by the Cabinet yesterday. Though in the pre-election days, the current Chief Minister had created an impression in the public mind that civil society would be consulted in matter of further law-making and/or amendments pertaining to Lokayukta, the said promise remains unfulfilled.

Neither the Chief Minister nor his Cabinet colleagues have taken civil society into confidence before according cabinet approval to the Lokayukta Rules. Even the contents of the said Rules have not been disclosed so far to the IAC Goa Chapter.

The IAC is also perturbed by the fact that state govt appears to be suffering from amnesia in the matter of enacting an amendment to the Goa Lokayukta Act 2011 on the lines of Uttarakhand legislation.

Therefore, IAC delegation discussed the issue yesterday with Chief Minister and submitted to him a charter of the following demands:

1.     To persuade the Governor of Goa to issue an Ordinance for the purpose of amending the Goa Lokayukta Act 2011 by incorporating therein beneficial provisions of Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill.

2.     To call for a special session of the State Legislative Assembly for the purpose of converting the said Ordinance into law.

3.     To follow the selection process for Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta as laid down in the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill. 

4.     To take civil society into confidence while drafting the above-referred Ordinance and amendments. 

IAC, has cautioned the Chief Minister that unless what is preached is practiced, the credibility gap will further widen. Therefore immediate concrete steps are expected from the Goa Govt.