Bihar CM under Lokayukta ambit soon

The Bihar government has decided to bring in a new law to lend more teeth to the institution of the Lokayukta, the anti-corruption watchdog that keeps tabs on public servants.

The Bihar government has decided to bring in a new law to lend more teeth to the institution of the Lokayukta, the anti-corruption watchdog that keeps tabs on public servants.

As per a rough proposal cleared by the state cabinet on Tuesday, the Lokayukta will be a three-member body headed by a chairperson. It will have the office of the chief minister within its ambit, as also its own investigation and prosecution wings.

The state government appeared to have accepted, in principle, several of the provisions contained in the draft Jan Lokayuka bill, sent by Team Anna to the chief minister's office, in response to a request.

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The new law will require an amendment to the Bihar Lokayukta Act, 1973 under which the office of the Lokayukta vests in an individual. An amendment Bill for this purpose is likely to be brought during the winter session of the state legislature.

Announcing the decision, cabinet secretary Ravikant said that the provisions and necessary details on the proposed amendment to the Lokayukta Act has been put on the government website, inviting the people's suggestions and comments by November 22.

The cabinet secretary said the government would also solicit the views and opinions of recognized political parties, after which a group of ministers, to be appointed later, would vet the draft bill before it was tabled during the winter session of the legislature.

Under the new Lokayukta law, public servants, right from the chief minister to government employees, employees of organizations, corporations and bodies receiving government grants, were liable to investigations if complaints were genuine.

"The expenses on the office of Lokayukta would be met from charged expenditure, which could not be voted", Ravikant added.

The cabinet sanctioned expenditure of Rs 2,652 crore and sought Rs 6,542 crore from the Centre under National Rural Livelihood Mission. Ravikant stated that the cabinet also approved the integration of UID project with E-shakti project, under which UID would only provide the number (identity). Demographic profile, iris and fingerprints would be provided by E-shakti.

In the first phase, 2.50 crore people would be provide these identity cards at an estimated cost of Rs 674.80 crore in the next five years. A pilot project of integrated UID and E-shakti projects has been already launched in Patna district.