TN Lokayukta shields corrupt officials: Activists

After a protest with Arappor Iyakkam, on Tuesday, Satta Panchayat Iyakkam made a detailed criticism on the Lokayukta Bill. Senthil Arumugam, state general secretary of the organisation in his statement, said that in the proposed Lokayukta Bill there is only inquiry wing and there is no prosecution wing meaning the Lokayukta will just recommend action and cannot initiate it. 

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) should have either been dissolved or should have been brought under Lokayukta, but on the contrary the DVAC, in which there are lot of political interferences, is kept on a par with the Loyayukta. 

There is also another clause that prohibits the Lokayukta from investigating misappropriations in government contracts and that is where major corruption takes place. Also there is no mention of suo motu power for Lokayukta in the Bill. 

Based on reports and complaints Lokayukta should carry out surprise raids in the houses of ministers and officials on its own but no such clause is present in the Bill. Also, there is no provision of filing of property details of ministers and their relatives. The said provision is present in Lokayuktas in all the states.  

The autonomy of Lokayukta is greatly affected by the appointment of secretary by the state. Also, there is no clear mention about the appointment date of the chairperson and members of Lokayukta which leaves the possibility of government dragging the issue of appointments. 

The main demand was to take severe action against the corrupt by setting up a powerful Lokayukta but in the Bill, it was mentioned that those who file a spurious petition will be fined to the tune of Rs 1 lakh and one year of imprisonment. The clause is an indirect way to threaten people, he said. 

The demand from civil society was a powerful Lokayukta but the Bill clearly shows that the Lokayukta here is intended to save officials and ministers, said Senthil Arumugam.