Bhubaneswar: Opposition Congress and the BJP Friday criticised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for not issuing a notification on the implementation of Orissa Lokayukta Act (OLA), 2015.
The issue was raised by Opposition Leader Narasingha Mishra of Congress in Assembly while discussing the voting of supplementary demands for grants, relating to home and general administration, held by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Mishra also questioned the non appointment of a Lokayukta and a full-time chairman of State Human Rights Commission and Police Complaints Authority.
When the state government takes pride in becoming the first state in the country to pass a Lokayukta Bill in 2015, it does not appoint a Lokayukta even after two-and-half years, Mishra said.
“If you (CM) give a call for zero tolerance to corruption, how the state government has not issued notification for appointment of Lokayukta?” Mishra asked.
He added that it is enough indication that the state government is not interested to enquire the allegations of corruption against persons holding high posts.
Accusing the Chief Minister of sheltering corrupt officials and mines owners, the Congress leader said the Supreme Court has given a clear directive for setting up the Police Complaints Authority.
He said the MB Shah Commission of Inquiry has indicted some officials and mines owners. The commission had also recommended CBI probe into the mining scam. “Had there been a Lokayukta, the matter could have gone to it,” Mishra said.
Mishra also took a dig at the state government over the rise in crime against women, particularly rape cases.
“When there are at least three rape incidents taking place every day, the rate of conviction in such crime is only six per cent,” Mishra said adding Orissa is at the third spot in crime against women, after Delhi and Assam.
BJP member and party’s state president Basant Panda also sought explanation from the Chief Minister on the reason behind not appointing a Lokayukta. He alleged that the police are being used for political gains of the
ruling party.
BJP legislature party leader KV Singh Deo also came down heavily on the police administration and alleged that the police force is being misutilised by the ruling party.
Members of the ruling BJD, Sanjay Das Burma, Pramila Mallick and Bedprakash Agarwal, however, defended the state government and rejected allegations made by the Congress and BJP members.
PNN