Terming the institution of lokayukta in Jharkhand as complete failure the newly formed Bharatiya Suraaj Dal (BSD) has sought resignation of Justice (retd) Amreshwar Sahay from the constitutional post. The party has raised various incidents of corruption in the State and expressed anguish over “inaction” on the part of the ombudsman.
Addressing a press conference on Monday president of the outfit PK Siddharth mentioned about poor condition of Government buildings which were allegedly built not long ago. “On 15 July, 2014 a group of Bharatiya Suraaj Dal volunteers went to a student’s hostel in Daltonganj. They found that the building was inaugurated in 2003 by the local MlA but its condition was like a hundred years old building. The girls complained that one of the ceiling fans had fallen on them. The party has lodged an FIR against corruption committed in construction of the building. But larger point is that lokayukta being the only independent anti-corruption agency in State is instead sitting idle,” said Siddharth, a former IPS officer.
The party had previously also written a letter to the office questioning its anti-corruption measures and investigations done so far. It expressed dissatisfaction over the argument that the anti-corruption ombudsman was toothless and functioning without its own investigation wing.
“We don’t agree. The gist of State lokayukta law prepared by us and approved and signed by Justice PB Sawant, a former Supreme Court Judge. It shows the immense powers available with the lokayukta. Indeed he could have more powers. But why not first use the powers already available to stop open loot of public money in the State,” asked the party president that is rearing to go into Assembly elections due in November in Jharkhand.
He further put onus on the lokayukta saying it as the only agency which is independent of the government and on which common citizen can have faith. “But unfortunately this institution has failed to do anything significant against the higher bureaucracy, high and mighty and the ministers. The lokayukta is found taking suomotu cognizance against petty officials on media reports but does not take suo motu cognizance of specific media reports against ministers,” added Siddharth.
The party at the same time also appealed to the lokayukta to constitute a team of eminent citizens to inspect randomly the buildings, roads, ponds etc to ascertain their quality and organise investigation into appropriate cases through lokayukta appointed independent investigators, like former-CBI officers which would also look into the “inflated” cost incurred.
“We appeal to the present lokayukta that he either resign or start using the powers already available to him. If none of the two is done then there may be public agitation, finding no other way. In a democracy every institution is accountable and must fulfill its constitutional mandate,” said Siddharth.