Decision on enforcement of Lokayukta Bill on Nov 7: Bahuguna

Dehradun, Oct 19: A day after it was announced that President Pranab Mukherjee has given assent to the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on Oct 18 said that the decision about its enforcement will be taken on November 7.

"The Lokayukta law has been formulated, but whether it will be implemented or not will be decided in the next meeting of the state Cabinet to be held on November 7," said the Chief Minister.

"We have the option of changing the law or bringing a new one," he said. "Some provisions of the law are unconstitutional. Even the judiciary has been brought under the ambit of the Lokayukta," said Bahuguna.

After the President's assent, the Bill was sent to the legal department on September 9, he said. But despite there being a period of 180 days for its implementation, the Bill was sent for printing without bringing it to the notice of the Chief Minister, Parliamentary Affairs Minister or the Chief Secretary, Bahuguna said, adding that that there was no need to show such a haste.

When asked if action will be taken against the guilty officials, the Chief Minister said that the Chief Secretary was looking into the matter. The Bill will bring the Chief Minister, ministers, MLAs and government servants, including IAS and IPS officers, under the ambit of the Lokayukta.

Former chief ministers, former ministers and retired officers will also be covered by the new law which carries a provision of punishment up to life imprisonment.

PTI