Opposition parties led by the DMK staged a walkout before the passage of the Tamil Nadu Lokayukta Bill, 2018, on Monday after the government refused to accept their demand that the Bill be referred to a select committee.
Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin, who spoke during the debate on the Bill, wanted it to be referred to a select committee after raising a number of points. “This Bill is a toothless, powerless one,” he said.
Mr. Stalin said a sentence in the Bill that said the Chief Minister could also be investigated by the Lokayukta was not clear.
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He also said that as per the Bill, only three persons would be in the selection committee. “This is not enough for transparency. The committee should have two more persons – a High Court judge and an eminent person with experience in the field,” he said, seeking an amendment to the clause.
The DMK leader also said that as per Section 3 (2) (a) of the Act, the Chairperson would be a person who is or has been a judge of the High Court, or a person with 25 years experience in anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance or law. “This seems like an attempt to make the office of the Lokayukta as one run by officials. I condemn this on behalf of the DMK,” he said.
Mr. Stalin also wanted an inquiry wing and an investigation wing in the office of the Lokayukta. He also sought a clause for the protection of whistleblowers. “To institute these changes, there is a need to refer this issue to a select committee before passing the Bill,” Mr. Stalin said.
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‘Can be amended later’
Congress Floor Leader K. R. Ramasamy and IUML’s Abu Bakr too called for the Bill to be sent to a select committee.
Replying to Mr. Stalin’s points, Minister for Fisheries, Personnel and Administrative Reforms D. Jayakumar said the government had studied the Lokayukta Act passed by various States and had then drafted the legislation for Tamil Nadu. “This has been drafted based on the framework of the Lokpal Bill,” he added.
On the amendments sought by the DMK Working President, Mr. Jayakumar said “Even the Constitution has been amended so many times. When the Lokayukta Act is being implemented, we can bring in amendments”.
When Mr. Stalin again sought the Bill to be referred to a select committee, the House went silent as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister deliberated among themselves. Law Minister C. Ve. Shanmugam too made his way to the CM’s seat and was also seen talking to another MLA S. Semmalai. Deputy Leader of the Opposition Duraimurugan too was seen asking the CM to move it to the select committee.
But the government decided to table the Bill and Mr. Jayakumar moved the motion. The DMK walked out following this, and the Bill was passed.