Dhumal invites Team Anna to Shimla

Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta Act-1983,one of the first state Lokayukta Acts in the country,is set to undergo sweeping changes to give it more teeth while dealing with cases of corruption and abuse of power. The government has also invited social activist Anna Hazare and his team to Shimla to help in redrafting the state’s existing Lokayukta laws.

“I have invited the team to Shimla to discuss how the state can strengthen the institution of the Lokayukta,give it powers for investigations and deal with complaints of corruption,” said Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. He added that Team Anna had sent its suggestions in response to the draft,which the government had forwarded to the team recently. “The team will soon come to Shimla for discussions and whatever suggestions come,we will incorporate in the proposals to make necessary changes in the Lokayukta Act,” he added.

Dhumal said the new Lokayukta,Justice L S Panta,a retired Supreme Court judge and currently the chairman of the National Green Tribunal,will assume office next month. The post of Lokayukta had fallen vacant early this year after the retirement of Justice Bhawani Singh — retired chief justice of Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir HC.

The Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta also covers the office of the Chief Minister.