Himachal Pradesh select committee recommends one-member Lokayukta

SHIMLA: The select committee of Vidhan Sabha, led by revenue minister Kaul Singh Thakur, has recommended one-member Lokayukta in Himachal Pradesh, while the bill presented by the state government during the budget session had proposed a chairman and two other members.
During the budget session, the state government was all prepared to pass the Lokayukta Bill-2014, but leader of opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal had raised his objection on the bill in the current form after which chief minister Virbhadra Singh had recommended to refer the bill to the select committee.
Sources said, "The select committee in its meeting held on Monday finalized its report in which it has recommended one-member Lokayukta in the state against the proposed three members'. Now, the Lokayukta Bill could be presented in the coming monsoon session for approval of the House."
Besides curbing the number of members in the Lokayukta, the select committee has not shown much interest in the special court provisions made in the original bill, they added. The state government in the bill presented during the budget session had proposed to set up special courts for trials against corrupt persons, whose cases will be investigated by Lokayukta. It was proposed that the institution will have powers to recommend transfers and suspension of accused public servants.
Earlier, announcement was made to convene a special house meeting to discuss Lokayukta Bill. But due to some reasons, the meeting could not be convened.
The CM said he was in favour of a strong Lokayukta in Himachal Pradesh. "How many members should be there depends on the recommendations of the select committee," he added. He, however, made it clear that it is up to the government whether to accept all or partial recommendations of the select committee.