Amid allegations by the Opposition about the ‘double-standards’ and ‘non-serious’ attitude of the Manohar lal Khattar Government in Haryana on corruption, the anti-corruption watchdog in the State has sought more powers to probe graft cases.

Pushing the demand for more power to the lokayukta, the Haryana lokayukta has proposed amendments in the Haryana lokayukta Act, 2002 to empower the organisation with the power of Contempt Of Court for disobeying the orders and to take suo motu cognisance of corruption allegations and grievances highlighted by the media.

In its annual report for the period 2014-15 tabled in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha recently, the Haryana lokayukta has proposed amendments in the Act related to grant of power of Contempt of Court, Suo-Motu cognizance, protection of whistleblowers, introduction of five years limitation clause, overriding effect to lokayukta Act, destruction of old records, removal of anomaly in pay structure of lokayukta institution and providing adequate staff in the organisation.

According to a senior official in lokayukta’s office, the request related to granting the Suo-Motu cognizance to lokayukta is pending with the State Government for more than a year now. The official said that the recommendations have been put forth also in the previous annual reports of the lokayukta but the State Government has failed to act so far.

Notably, the Bharatiya Janta Party led State Government came to power in Haryana last year, on pledges of ushering in an era of change with good governance and graft-free system in the state. Also, the Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar has time and again asserted that his Government is committed to zero tolerance towards corruption and providing corruption free governance to the people of the state.

The report has also recommended that the investigating and prosecution agencies be made under the control of lokayukta institution on the same pattern as provided under Section 20 of the Central Act. Also, in order to facilitate and assist the institution at the district level or divisional level, Vigilance Committees constituting of three eminent persons of fair record and repute be constituted.

Haryana lokayukta Justice Pritam Pal, in the annual report has stated, “As far as the present Act 2002 is concerned, if some amendments on the pattern of central lokpal and lokayukta Act, 2013 as suggested are incorporated in the Act by the Haryana Government, then this Haryana lokayukta Act, 2002 can be made more effective and strong to deal with the menace of corruption and grievances of general public.”

The lokayukta has also asked for timely filling up of vacant posts in the investigating wing of the institution. As per the report, one post of DSP, one of inspector, 6 of constables and two posts of personal assistants are lying vacant in investigating wing while in administrative wing, a total five posts including of personal assistants, translator and driver are lying vacant. 

In the amendments, it has also been proposed that to keep a check on highly belated and vexatious complaints, a limitation period in the matter of allegations should be prescribed for five years whereas in the matter of grievances it should be restricted upto one year.

The report pointed out the staff crunch as an impediment for discharge of lokayukta institution’s functions smoothly and expeditiously. Stating that lokayukta organisation since its inception has been under staffed, the report added, as per rules, the lokayukta organisation has not been allowed to constitute its own staff strength/cadre and all the regular employees are drawn from different Haryana Government departments and is struggling on the mercy of other departments.

Apart from this, the lokayukta has expressed concern over the non-compliance of orders by officers of various departments against whom directions were made or replies sought by him.

Haryana lokayukta Act, 2002 had come into force from August 1, 2004. The lokayukta organisation was brought into existence in January, 2006 with avowed commitment on the part of State Government to provide an efficient, transparent and corruption free Governance.