Panjim: Congress on Friday slammed the Government’s move to dilute the powers of Goa Lokayukta, stating that the recent amendments proposed to the Act, will weaken the institution.
Addressing media persons, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat said the amendments proposed to the Goa Lokayukta Act 2011, which will come up for discussion before the State Assembly, are efforts to dilute the powers of the ombudsman body.
“The Act, which was drafted in 2011 and implemented in 2012, was introduced with an idea to act against those involved in corruption. But over the years, with several amendments, the Act has been rendered toothless,” he said.
“These fresh amendments will further weaken the Institute,” Kamat said adding ‘Congress will strongly oppose the Bill in the House’.
The amendments, approved by the Cabinet, will omit provisions enabling complaints against public functionaries on allegations of nepotism, maladministration, corrupt motive and lack of integrity. It has, however, retained the provision of filing complaints on the basis of corruption.
Former Union Minister Ramakant Khalap added that the amendments are basically proposed following 23 reports by the Goa Lokayukta, recommending action against public functionaries including a former BJP Chief Minister (Laxmikant Parsekar).
Khalap charged that efforts are to render the institution powerless. “Going through all the amendments, it is observed that Lokayukta has become a farcical institution,” he said.
The former Law Commissioner urged the government that rather than ridiculing the Ombudsman body, it is better to wrap it up. “Wrap up the institution, if you don’t want it,” he said.
The amendment has also proposed that prior government permission needs to be taken before initiating investigation into the complaint against the public functionaries.
