Gujarat Congress demands full power for Lokayukta

State Congress on Thursday welcomed the appointment of retired justice DP Buch as the new Lokayukta of Gujarat. However, it wants the government to dissolve all earlier commissions and give full power to Lokayukta to probe into the corruption charges against the Narendra Modi-led government.

Leader of opposition in the Gujarat Assembly Shankarsinh Vaghela said he was happy that the process of appointment of Lokayukta has been completed after 19 years. He said: “I will request governor Dr Kamala to complete the oath taking process of retired justice Buch as Lokayukta at the earliest.”

However, Vaghela wants the state government to dissolve the MB Shah commission and let the Lokayukta inquire into the corruption charges. “Moreover, I also request the state government to extend the period under probe from current five years to 15 years as the post remained vacant for a long time,” said Vaghela.

He said that Buch’s name for Lokayukta was suggested by him to the chief justice of Gujarat High Court purely on the basis of his merits, reputation within judiciary and objectivity. The state government, however, had rejected his name citing his age, said Vaghela.

The former chief minister also said that the state government gave him just 48 hours time to participate in a meeting for discussion over the names of Lokayukta, but he did not accept the invitation at it is the prerogative of the leader of opposition and chief justice of Gujarat high court.

He said that the state government tried to make Lokayukta Act ineffective by passing the bill due to majority in the house. However, Buch’s appointment is as per the provisions of Gujarat Lokayukta Act of 1986.