Bharatiya Janata Party national president Amit Shah on Thursday said that the government would soon appoint Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and Central Information Commissioner (CIC).
Replying to a question as to why the BJP, which claims to have run a scam-free government for the last one year, was shy of making appointments to the autonomous anti-corruption and pro-transparency mechanisms, Mr. Shah said the Supreme Court had already approved panels formed for the appointment of both CVC and CIC and the appointments would be made soon. On the appointment of Lok Pal, he said that a Joint Parliamentary Committee was supposed to submit its report upon which the appointment would be made.
Asked whether the ban on beef would be implemented in Goa, the party president said the people of the State would be taken into confidence before taking any decision on ban.
The issue assumes significance as Christians who account for more than 26 per cent of the State’s 1.4 million population, BJP’s Christian MLAs as well as Christian MLAs supporting the BJP-led coalition government in Goa are apprehensive following news from Maharashtra and Haryana about the ban.
Blue-print of model lawAsked to explain the rationale behind the Goa government giving iron ore mining leases to same old players who face allegations of mining illegalities when the Centre has adopted auctioning as the most profitable option for exploiting natural resources, Mr. Shah said that the Centre is in the process of preparing a blue-print of a model law suggesting auctioning as the route for leasing out natural resources and the same would be sent to the States as an advisory note. As such, in the future Goa also would accept auction as the route for exploring natural resources following a successful experiment with coal mines at the Centre, he said.
Special statusMr. Shah, in reply to another question, declined to promise ‘special status’ to Goa, saying that such a demand is pending with the Centre from many other States and the Centre would take a decision in due course. The Centre would definitely give assistance to Goa to overcome its difficulties, he said.
‘Zero tolerance’On a question about proliferating drug trade in the coastal tourist State, Mr. Shah advocated “zero tolerance” policy towards drug menace and demanded action against those indulging in it. Mr. Shah said that in Bihar the position of his party was very good ahead of upcoming Assembly elections and, therefore, Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav who were foes for over 25 years are compelled to come together as there is no other option for them.
