‘Can’t pass Lokayukta Bill without public consultation’

We had close to a hundred people and initially, discussed the features of the Bill. We took a resolution that the government shouldn’t pass the Lokayukta Act without people’s consultation. The discussion revolved around the necessity to ensure independence to the Lokayukta in terms of financial, functioning and recruitment aspects. There should also be a time-frame for the investigation. We are also sending the compilation to Finance Minister D Jayakumar and Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan.

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act have come into force because India is a signatory to the UN Convention, which mandates such independent investigation acts to look into corruption. One of the key points is that people must be involved in the decision-making process. This is because the bill probes into the corruption of the elected representatives, including the ministers and MLAs – the same people who are passing the bill. There is a clear conflict of interest. How can they truly decide how to prove the corruption charges against their cadre? To be truly representative of the people, you need to hear the people’s opinions – by having a public consultation.

Minister Jayakumar had stated that the rush to pass the bill is to meet the Supreme Court’s deadline of July 10. But when we examined the order, the SC had clearly said that by July 10, the government should report the progress made on passing the act. It did not mandate the government to actually pass the act, without the public consultation – which will end up in a toothless act against corruption. The government can place the draft Lokayukta bill for public consultation for 30 days and then pass it.