In a major embarrassment to the Congress Government, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Friday had to refer the lokayukta Bill, 2014 to the Select Committee of the House for reconsideration, after the Bill was termed as legally flawed by Opposition leader Prem Kumar Dhumal.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who had earlier termed the Bill, introduced on February 19, as strong and said that it would deal with corruption in much stronger way had come under close scrutiny by the Opposition, which has been boycotting the Budget session.
On Friday, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that Himachal Pradesh lokayukta Act of 2014, which was listed for passing on the last day of Budget session, should be referred to a Select Committee for consideration. He said that the new Bill will replace the existing Himachal Pradesh lokayukta Bill of 1983. “State Government wants to place a stronger lokayukta Bill, with some necessary amendments, so as to deal with corruption effectively,” said Singh. Earlier, Congress MlA Asha Kumari while participating in debate, demanded that in order to have a stronger and robust Bill to check corruption, the Himachal Pradesh lokayukta Bill should be sent to Select Committee for consideration. Chief Minister also referred the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill to the Select Committee for consideration which was also alleged to be legally flawed by the Opposition. He said that Government was serious in dealing with corruption and if need arises, a special session of Assembly, could be called to pass the lokayukta Bill.
Dhumal said later that better sense prevailed on the State Government and it is better to rectify the problems and then pass the Bill. He had on Thursday termed the new lokayukta Bill as an eyewash and had said that the new lokayukta Bill, which was tabled in the house was violating section 197 (1) of Criminal Procedural Code and section 19 of Prevention of Corruption Act, which are both Central acts and no State Government can change it.
Dhumal had claimed that the new lokayukta Bill has been also violating Article 311 of Constitution, which grants protection to Government employees and would not get Central Government or President’s nod. The Budget session which had 14 sittings was later adjourned sine die. According to Vidhan Sabha sources more than 300 questions went unanswered due to the walkouts and boycott of proceedings of the House by Opposition.