New Delhi, Aug 24: Amid hectic parleys between the Centre and Team Anna to break the deadlock over Lokpal Bill, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today suggested bringing the chief ministers under the ambit of the proposed law.
“In order to ensure a corruption-free society, it would be appropriate to broaden the jurisdiction of Lokpal by bringing chief ministers under the ambit of the proposed Lok Pal,” Dikshit said.
The government's Lokpal Bill does not have provision for bringing chief ministers under its ambit but the Jan Lokpal suggests setting up of Lokayukta at state-level which would cover chief ministers.
In a bid to support efforts to contain corruption, a cabinet meeting presided by Dikshit also passed a resolution “willing to enact/ or adopt a Lokpal Act in order to place a strong and effective anti-corruption institution.”
The city government has sent separate letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Law Minister Salman Khurshid expressing its resolve supporting steps being taken by the Centre to contain graft.
Dikshit expressed the hope that the stalemate over the Lokpal Bill will soon be over as the union government and Team Anna have started “constructive” discussions.
The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the Centre as well as the civil society for brining an “effective and strong” Lokpal Bill.
Dikshit said her government has taken a number of effective steps to enhance “transparency and accountability” in governance.
Asserting that her government has been striving hard to ensure transparency in governance, she said it was important for public figures to keep a “clean public life”. She said her government has been facilitating smooth functioning of institutions like, Lokayukta and Public Grievance Commission so that they can effectively deal with corruption.
Dikshit had yesterday met the Prime Minister and discussed the situation arising out of Hazare's fast demanding a strong Lokpal here.
Asked about Hazare's fast and the massive public support for it, Dikshit said every citizen has a right to protest in a democratic country.
East Delhi MP and her son Sandeep Dikshit has been involved in talks with Team Anna. The East Delhi MP had last week said the Gandhian should not have been arrested. PTI
