TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: In an interesting development, the Bharatiya Janata Party has said that public opinion needs to be respected in the background of dissatisfaction voiced over the provision of heavy fine in Lokayukta amendment bill 2013.
The Party said Tuesday that government should lower the penalty under section 19 for false and frivolous complaints which ranges from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. The party, however, supported the other amendments to the Act, claiming them to be ‘effective’.
Addressing a press conference, BJP Goa spokesman Narendra Sawaikar said the party completely stands by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s recent amendments to Goa Lokayukta, which has met with opposition from civil society groups.
Sawaikar said that the amendments made to the Bill have made it effective. “If there is any problem with the fine prescribed for a fake complaint, the chief minister should respect the views of the people,” he said, refusing to state how much fine is desirable. He also accused some section of misleading the population on Lokayukta.
“BJP-led government is serious about curbing corruption through Lokayukta. We have committed to the people to give corruption free governance,” he said.
Sawaikar said after the recent amendment, the Goa Lokayukta has got the required teeth. “Lokayukta is a recommendatory body which will submit its report to the competent authority which needs to take action,” Sawaikar said, adding that “if deemed clause of acceptance is inserted, then sometimes an innocent person may get punished.”
Pointing out to another objection in the amendment that the chief minister or minister “may” resign from the office if found guilty, Sawaikar said that the word “may” may be read as “shall” as per the legal statute.
The BJP leader said that the Lokayukta order cannot force the chief minister or minister to resign as it would amount to contravention of the Constitution. “These posts are selected as per the Constitution. If chief minister vacates the office, the entire ministry has to go, which will create a crisis,” he explained.
“If we add the word ‘shall’ it would be ultra-virus of the Constitution,” Sawaikar claimed. The BJP leader also said that the chief minister or minister may resign after being found guilty as there will be public pressure on them.
