Kerala Government Under Fire For Trying To Clip Corruption Watchdog's Powers
NDTV
Even CPM's biggest ally - the CPI - has hit out at the ordinance being moved instead of a discussion in the assembly.
Congress-led United Democratic Front leaders today met the Governor of Kerala alleging that chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan is trying to dilute the office of the state's corruption watchdog. They also raised objections to it being done through an ordinance instead of a bill in the state assembly. Opposition leader VD Sateeshan and former chief minister Oommen Chandy were among those who met Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. After the meeting, they accused the chief minister of trying to "save himself" from investigations into several cases of corruption against him
The corruption watchdog, the Lokayukta, investigates allegations against public servants, including the government. The state cabinet has moved for an ordinance to amend the Lokayukta Act bypassing the state assembly, causing uproar from the opposition and even the ruling CPI(M)'s biggest political ally.
"After 22 years now, the government is saying provisions of the Lokayukta Act is unconstitutional. Now they are trying to bring the amendment only to save the CM because there are 4 cases pending before the Lokayukta", VD Sateeshan said after meeting the Governor.
Even CPM's biggest ally - the CPI - has hit out at the ordinance being moved instead of a discussion in the assembly.
