The State unit of the India against Corruption (IAC) on Saturday flayed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for announcing to bring into force a strong lokayukta Act in one month’s time.
“Following our demand for passing a strong lokayukta Act in a special State Assembly session, the Chief Minister’s announcement in this regard on Friday is appreciable. But what disappoints us is the CM’s statement misleads people,” an IAC release alleged. Stating that the Chief Minister had on December 28, 2011 promised to pass a strong lokayukta Bill in the Assembly in three months’ time after completion the panchayat elections scheduled for early 2012, the IAC slammed Patnaik for allegedly taking credit of fulfilling his earlier promise.
“The CM’s statement is misleading and condemnable,” the release said while quoting CM as saying, “I had earlier stated that lokayukta Bill for Odisha would be passed within three months just after the passage of the bill by the Central Government.” The release reminded that BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab had on December 27, 2011 told the lok Sabha that Odisha would have a strong lokpal Act within three months. Chief Minister Patnaik made a similar statement the next day.