Assembly passes Mizoram Lokayukta Bill

The state assembly on Thursday passed the Mizoram Lokayukta Bill, 2014 introduced in the legislature by Law Minister Lalsawta.

While opposition members slammed the bill as 'toothless' and 'ineffective' in combating corruption, the ruling Congress members contended that it was one of the best Lokayukta bills in the country. Lalsawta said that the drafting committee took many suggestions from the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, regarded as one of the best Acts in the country.

According to the Mizoram Lokayukta bill, all public servants including the Chief Minister were within the ambit of the Lokayukta and a separate Investigating Directorate would be set up under it.

While a provision for protection of the whistle-blower was incorporated in the bill, there was a scope for punishment of those who file false or frivolous or vexatious complaints to the Lokayukta.

An anti-corruption watchdog - People's Right to Information and Development Society of Mizoram (PRISM) - slammed the bill and earlier urged the Speaker to prevent its passage in the legislature. However, PRISM President Vanlalruata described the bill as toothless which would encourage corruption rather than punishing the corrupt people.