New Delhi, Nov 5: The passage of the Lokayukta bill in Uttarakhand earned Chief Minister B C Khanduri praise from Anna Hazare, who urged the Centre and other states to follow suit, even as he slammed BJP government in Gujarat for not enacting a similar measure.
“The Lokayukta Bill passed by the Uttarakhand assembly and its Chief Minister B C Khanduri is big thing for the country.... Very soon you will see its effect when this law reaches the villages and people will start to feel its powers,” Hazare said after meeting Khanduri here Friday.
In reply to a poser on whether he was supporting BJP, Hazare said, “Even Gujarat is a BJP ruled state. But it is not implementing the Lokayukta bill for the past so many years. It is not easy to make such law and it requires a concerted effort of everyone which requires a strong leadership.”
Praising Khanduri, he said the country is governed by the rule of law and its system is based on justice. “We have chosen the top-most people here to make strong laws, and I think this work done by Khanduri is very important as it can show a new path to the entire nation.” He said the Centre and other states should also follow Uttarakhand's example.
Appearing before a Parliamentary Committee yesterday, Team Anna had demanded that the government version of the Lokpal Bill should follow the Uttarakhand model. “I feel assured that Uttarakhand will become the headmaster for the entire nation for this law,” he said.
Hazare said he was not praising any particular party but a person who has worked for the passage of the Lokayukta bill. Asked if UPA passes the Lokpal Bill in the Winter Session of Parliament, he said, “We will definitely support them. Whosoever works for the betterment of the country, we would respect them. I will surely visit Uttarakhand.” Khanduri said Hazare has been his “inspiration” for the passage of the bill.
The Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill brings under its purview the Chief Minister, ministers and government servants, including IAS and IPS officers, and with a provision for punishment extending up to life imprisonment.
