Gujarat govt appoints ministerial panel to amend Lok Ayukta Act

Gujarat Government Wednesday announced setting up of a five-member ministerial group to suggest amendments in the existing Gujarat Lok Ayukta Act to bring it on par with the official Lokpal Bill pending before a Parliamentary Committee.

The decision to appoint a ministerial group was taken at the Cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the backdrop of the BJP government drawing a flak for not appointing Lok Ayukta in Gujarat for the last seven years.

"The high-level group has been formed with an aim to strengthen the democratic institution of Lokayukta in the state," Gujarat government spokesperson and Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas said.

"The group will suggest changes on the basis of the provisions of Lokpal Bill if it is agreed upon by the Government of India and Team Anna Hazare and if passed by the Parliament," said Vyas.

The panel will be headed by Finance Minister Vaju Vala, and besides Vyas will have Law Minister Dilip Sanghani, Minister of state for Law Pradipsinh Jadeja and Minister of State for Planning Ranjit Gilitwala as its members.

"The group will suggest amendments in the existing Gujarat Lokayukta Act to make it consistent with the bill that will be passed by the parliament," he said.

Formation of the panel is testimonial of the Gujarat government's commitment to a transparent and welfare-oriented administration, added Vyas.