Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna is going to convene a Congress legislature Party (ClP) meet on November 17 to feel the mood of the MlAs over the Uttarakhand lokayukta Bill which was passed by the Assembly on November 2011 by the BJP Government and approved by the President on September 2013.
Earlier, the ClP meeting was supposed to take place on November 7 but could not be convened because the Congress leaders were divided on the issue. Then the Government had given a reason that due to two-day long prince Charles visit to Uttarakhand, the State Government had decided to postpone the ClP meeting. Sources said that MlAs will remain divided on the Bill on Sunday.
Meanwhile to discuss about the lokayukta Act, CM Bahuguna had met Union law Minister Kapil Sibal in New Delhi. Although the CM says that the people of the State had already rejected the lokayukta Act brought by the previous BJP-led Government. At the same time, he reiterated that his Government would establish an effective, transparent and strong lokayukta.
The Acts of all others States were being studied for the same.Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal has already said that the State Government should implement the State lokayukta Act, which was approved by the President of India. Replying to the media query, Chief Minister Bahuguna had said that the State may make amendment in the new Act. As far as contempt of President is concerned, the State Government is free to do amendments.
For instance, Parliament has made several amendments in the Constitution so does it mean they demeaned Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, who had drafted the Indian ConstitutionIJ CM Bahuguna keeps saying that it is the State Government's prerogative to implement the Act. "For this we are going to have ClP meeting to feel the pulse of MlAs and after that the Cabinet will take a decision on it," the CM said.
Talking to The Pioneer, Pithoragarh MlA Mayukh Mahar said that the State Government should implement the lokayukta Act immediately otherwise it would make severe dent in the image of the State Government. Being a part of Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha when the House had passed the Bill in 2011, Mahar believes that it is a noble effort to weed out corruption from the system.
He further said that he wants that it should be implemented immediately so he was on the way to Dehradun to participate in the ClP meet, which is scheduled to begin by 11 am on Sunday. Hemesh Kharkwal said that he got notice about the ClP meeting on November 15 so he would not be able to attend the meeting. Although he has made it clear that he would stand by the ClP decision.
Another MlA Subodh Uniyal, who was in Delhi to take a flight to Spain, said that with this lokayukta Act previous Government had tried to re-establish Rajshahi (rule of king) so he does not support the Bill. As per the Act one person would have all power so he is personally against it.