Although, Lokpal bill could not passed in the Parliament, yet Himachal Pradesh Govt., has shown their keenness to make it more powerful in State. Chief Minister said that for the better and effective Lokpal system his Govt., will also take help from the Anna Hazare and his team.
Prem Kumar Dhumal said that Himachal is one of the first states to have a Lokayukta. Now state is going to give the Lokayukta institution more powers in order to deal effectively with corruption and abuse of power. He added that
For this, the act (Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta Act of 1983) would be amended. Members of civil society have been invited to give suggestions to strengthen the Lokayukta and give it more powers for dealing effectively with complaints of corruption
The issue of giving more power to the institution, Dhumal said, would be discussed with the new Lokayukta, Justice (retd) L.S. Panta, who is to assume office next month.
Panta, a retired Supreme Court judge, is chairman of the National Green Tribunal. The chief minister’s office also comes under the purview of the Lokayukta.
