Punjab Cabinet okays Lokayukta Bill

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 2

Three years in office, the Punjab Cabinet today gave its nod to the draft Punjab Lokayukta Bill permitting prosecution of MLAs, including the CM, if two-thirds of the Assembly approves so. The Congress has 80 MLAs in the Assembly. The Bill, to be tabled during the Budget session, seeks to replace the Punjab Lokpal Act, 1996, fulfilling one of the promises made by the Congress during the 2017 elections.

Further, all that is sanctioned by the Assembly will be binding on the Lokayukta. The Bill provides for prosecution in case of a false complaint.

The amendment to the 1996 Act will give the Lokayukta the powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 to probe offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The proposed legislation bars a parallel probe into a complaint against any officer/ public functionary while an inquiry by the Lokayukta is on. Similarly, the latter will not have the authority to conduct a parallel inquiry if the matter is already under probe by the government. The state Vigilance Bureau too would be under the purview of the Lokayukta, said sources.

The reform measure envisages an autonomous body to look into grievances and allegations against public functionaries. All complaints would be scrutinised by a screening committee before issuance of notice. The screening committee would also take the government’s opinion on the matter. The Lokayukta would have the authority to take suo motu notice of corruption cases by “public men”.

“All sanctions by the Assembly, whether or not permission to prosecute is granted, will be binding on the Lokayukta,” a spokesman said. The four member anti-corruption watchdog shall have a chairperson, who is or has been a judge of the High Court or the Supreme Court. At least one member shall be from among persons belonging to the SCs/BCs, minorities or women, all of whom shall be qualified personnel.