I’m okay with a stronger Lokayukta,says Sheila

“If Parliament decides (the Lokpal Act),and if the Prime Minister is under its ambit,then no state should hesitate in bringing even chief ministers under the Lokayukta’s jurisdiction,” Dikshit told Newsline.

The Delhi Lokayukta Act,enacted by the Delhi Assembly from which the Lokayukta draws its powers,already has the Chief Minister under its jurisdiction,but not all states have similar provisions.

At a Delhi Cabinet meeting,presided by Dikshit,on Wednesday,the government formally resolved to adopt the Lokpal Act once it is enacted by Parliament.

Opposition Bhartiya Janata Party,however,said Dikshit is not serious about curbing graft,pointing out that earlier this year,her government had rubbished a Lokayukta order,which recommended that her Cabinet colleague Rajkumar Chauhan be sacked for nepotism.

“Her government had challenged the Lokayukta and said his order was baseless. She also rubbished the Shunglu Committee report on Commonwealth Games scam. Her government doesn’t respect any anti-corruption regulator,” Leader of Opposition V K Malhotra said.

Dikshit’s government is preparing for its first Assembly session after the Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s report on the Games. The report had indicted the government for poor planning and delay in works that bled the state exchequer.

Malhotra said BJP legislators met on Tuesday and decided to demand Dikshit’s resignation over charges of corruption and wastage of public money when the monsoon session begins on August 29.

“Not just that,BJP legislative party will vociferously ask for registration of criminal cases against her and all others involved in corruption in the Commonwealth Games,” Malhotra said.

Speaking about social activist Anna Hazare’s hunger strike earlier in the day,Dikshit expressed hope that the stalemate over the Lokpal Bill will soon. Dikshit’s son,MP Sandeep Dikshit,has been unofficially asked by the Congress to facilitate back-channel negotiations with the activist,a source said.