BJD hails Lokayukta Act, Opposition seeks quick implementation

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 29:

Major political parties in Odisha have expressed reactions on the Odisha Lokayukta Bill 2014 which became an Act after getting presidential asset yesterday.

The BJD leaders and the party supremo and chief minister have termed the Act as a big step towards transparency in governance.

While the Congress has called for early appointment of Lokayukta the BJP has said only time will tell on how successful the Act is.

“I am glad that the president has given his assent to the Lokayukta Bill. Odisha is the pioneer in this field. It’s a big step towards transparency and my government has always stood for transparency”, said chief minister Naveen Patnaik here today.

“Lokpal was a hotly debated issue across the country at that time. The issue was also debated in the State Assembly. The Lokayukta Bill which was passed by the assembly has finally got the presidential assent. If you have a close look at it, all those issues on which questions were raised in the past have been included in it. I feel it will definitely help in providing transparency in governance. Now to implement it, special court and office have to be set up and for this cooperation of employees is needed. Starting from the present chief minister to former chief ministers down to the chairman of a panchayat samiti, all including the political leaders will come under its purview. It will be a powerful institution and the state government will provide all assistance for the purpose,” said Pratap Dev, BJD spokesperson.

“Though late, Odisha Lokayukta Bill has finally got the presidential assent. I will hope the chief minister will act swiftly on it. Lokayukta should be appointed at the earliest. A person of integrity on whom the people of the state have faith be nominated. It will at least clear some extent the stink of corruption that is getting worse”, said leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Narsingh Mishra.

However, the BJP seemed to be skeptic while welcoming the Act in a broad sense.

“We are welcome the Act broadly. See, for prevention of corruption, there is a law in our country. There are provisions in the IPC for penalizing those involved in corruption. Though there are special courts for trying corruption cases, corruption still continues. Also a special Act was passed for the purpose but still then corruption didn’t stop. This is the third phase –Lokayukta Bill has been brought in to prevent corruption. It all depends on who manages the institution and people behind it. It’s only time which can tell whether the fruits that the institution will bear will be sweet or sour”, said spokesperson and former BJP state unit president Suresh Pujari.