Differences of opinion in cabinet meet on Lokayukta Ordinance, opposes CPI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI opposed the Lokayukta Amendment Ordinance. The CPI ministers expressed their stand in the cabinet meeting that they do not agree with the presentation of the bill in this form. The chief minister said the matter could be discussed, but if there is no solution at the government level, the CPI is planning to introduce an amendment when the bill is introduced in the Assembly.

Instead of empowering the government to overrule the Lokayukta's decision, the CPI suggests leaving it to the decision of an independent high-level committee. The CPI also said that they cannot take a stance that weakens the power of the Lokayukta, which is a strong anti-corruption mechanism. The Lokayukta Act was introduced in 1999 when senior party leader E Chandrasekaran Nair was the law minister. The party does not want to weaken this. The leadership said they are not ready to listen to such a blame, especially when party meetings are going on.

The Lokayukta Amendment Ordinance was invalid as the Governor did not sign it. The government is planning to present it as a bill in the special legislative session to be held on August 22nd. According to Section 14 of the Lokayukta Act, people's representatives can be disqualified. Action was taken against former minister K T Jaleel under this section. It was after Jaleel had to resign as a minister the government decided to introduce an amendment to the Lokayukta's powers.