Goa cabinet approves Lok Ayukta Bill, to be tabled soon

The Goa cabinet today approved Goa Lok Ayukta Bill - 2011, which would be placed before the state legislative assembly during the session beginning from October 5.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, said certain amendments suggested by the Centre had been made.

"We will table the bill during the coming session," he said.

Goa Lok Ayukta Bill, 2003, which had been passed by the assembly in 2007, was sent back when it was forwarded for Presidential sanction. The Union Government recommended a few changes.

Civil society groups in the state have been demanding that Goa have a Lok Ayukta.

Former Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde had recently said that in view of illegal mining and Coastal Regulation Zone scams, Goa needed a Lok Ayukta.