Govt will not table the Lokayukta Bill in current session

The government had earlier indicated it was getting ready to place a new Lokayukta Bill 2014 modelled on the Lokpal Bill passed by parliament in December in the legislature during the ongoing session that concludes February 26.

Sources in the government said the chief minister had decided against tabling the new Bill ahead of the parliament polls to avoid coming under attack over proposals in the bill that have been questioned by Justice Rao.

The Lokayukta, in the course of a meeting with the Governor, had sought intervention in preventing the tabling of the Bill with certain clauses that seeks to alter the power of investigations vested with the police wing of the anti-corruption ombudsman.

Under the proposed law, investigations can be initiated against complaints of corruption only if three members of the panel give their assent, Lokayukta sources said.

The Lokayukta has termed this is as a dilution of the existing system where the Lokayukta police are empowered to investigate complaints against officers below the rank of deputy commissioners without any sanction.

The Congress government is now expected to table the Bill in the monsoon session following the parliament polls.