Jharkhand will soon have a new, “effective, independent and strong” lokayukta in place. The State Coordination Committee headed by Union Minister Jairam Ramesh on Saturday paved way for enacting a new lokayukta law by February 15, besides proposing a slew of measures to ensure effective governance in the State. The new law is likely to arm the lokayukta with powers considered necessary for effectively dealing with corruption.
“This will be (enacting the law) an important step for fighting corruption in the State,” said Ramesh. Notably, the new law will be based on the lokpal and lokayukta Bill, 2011 which was cleared by the lok Sabha on December 18, 2013. The existing law, Jharkhand lokayukta Act was passed in 2001.
However, the incumbent lokayukta Amreshwar Sahay has on several occasions suggested the need for a strong ombudsman with powers to raid, search and seize. The slow pace of investigation besides lack of cooperation by Government departments is supposed to be the driving force behind a strong lokpal.
Significantly, the Coordination Committee seemed occupied with concerns of lok Sabha and Jharkhand Assembly elections scheduled this year. The committee took a slew of measures, mostly corrective in nature and of wide ramifications. The committee issued guidance to the State Government on sensitive issues revolving around democratic institutions and tribals of the State. “Right now we have two challenges -- lok Sabha as well as Assembly elections. The constituent units of the ruling coalition believe that the Government is on right path and has sufficient achievements to show,” maintained Ramesh.
The State Government will retreat from its earlier stand on sand mining which had led to widespread criticism of the Government by Panchayati Raj Institutions and had opened another front for the Opposition to corner the Government. To bring relief to the State Government the committee indicated going back to the provisions and allow panchayats to exercise powers bestowed on them in the contract process. The committee also emphasised delegation of more rights to Panchayati Raj Institutions and asked the State Government to expedite transfer of rights.
“The State Government will soon issue a directive (on sand mining) to all district officials,” conceded Ramesh, adding “There should not be any doubt on State Government on this matter.” The Congress-JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) led coalition Government will form a new Tribal Advisory Council by January 15 which is likely to conduct its first meeting on the same day. The committee will discuss matters related to Adivasis.
Interestingly, paying heed to the long pending demand of a separate column in census forms for Sarna religion code, the Union Minister assured Chief Minister Hemant Soren of extending cooperation if the matter is raised with the Central Government. The issue of Sarna religion code figures prominently in the common minimum programme of JMM-led coalition Government.
The meeting was attended by JPCC president Sukhdeo Bhagat, Finance Minister Rajendra Singh, Congress in-charge of the State, BK Hariprasad, Sanjay Singh Yadav, besides other invitees including HRD Minister Geetashree Oraon and RJD’s Janardan Paswan. The committee which is formed for better governance will conduct its next meeting on February 6.