Himachal CM introduced a bill to strengthen Lokayukta

Just a day after receiving criticism from Team Anna key member and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal over proposed bill of Lokayukta, Himachal Pradesh (HP) Chief Minister (CM) Prem Kumar Dhumal Wednesday introduced a bill in state legislation today.

Tabling the Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta Bill in the assembly, CM Dhumal said that this lokayukta bill has been prepared to give more power to ombudsman and create an effective Lokayukta system in the state.

He appealed to the members to go through it and have a healthy discussion.

"We (cabinet) have incorporated suggestions received from various quarters, including the public. It's an important bill. From the chief minister to a ward panch (ward member in panchayat), everybody is covered by it," Dhumal said.

Speaker Tulsi Ram said the bill had been listed for discussion Friday, the last day of the budget session.

Before tabling the bill, Congress legislator G.S. Bali sought clarification from the government on Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal's recent remark over the draft of Lokaykta Bill, who on Monday has alleged that the draft of the bill was very weak and ineffective.

Dhumal distanced himself from Team Anna members.

"No officials have gone to Delhi to meet Team Anna members," he said. "Kejriwal's assertions are not sacrosanct."

Himachal Pradesh had already has Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta Bill 1983 but was found ineffective. In the move to make it effective and giving more power to ombudsman, this bill was introduced today.

--With IANS Input --