The Congress-led government in Maharashtra is exploring various options to tackle the impact of the agitation launched by social activist Anna Hazare to press for the anti-corruption Bill framed by his team.
To start with, the state government plans to bring out an ordinance by giving wide-ranging powers to the Lokayukta, an anti-corruption authority constituted at the state level. Another ordinance may be issued for the purchases made by various departments. Further, the government can also consider issuing an ordinance for setting up a regulatory authority for the real estate sector to curb alleged nexus between politicians and realtors. State Congress unit spokesperson Ratnakar Mahajan told Business Standard: “Corruption is an all-pervading problem in society. To counter it, some positive action from the government is needed. For example, there is a Lokayukta in Maharashtra. Its powers will have to be enhanced to enable it to investigate and prosecute those whom it finds guilty. The state planning board in 2007 had suggested the government to enact a public procurement act to ensure transparency in purchases made by various departments and avoid corruption.”
Mahajan noted that such steps from the government would send a message that it was acting tough on corruption. “The government can come out with an ordinance in this regard and later convert it into an act whenever the legislature will be in session,” he informed. A Congress minister, who did not want to be identified, said, “Powers delegated to the Lokayukta in Maharashtra are not wide ranging when compared with Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
The Lokayukta has no powers to look into the complaint against the chief minister nor it has an independent investigating agency. But the move will give more teeth to the Lokayukta to convey the message that the government was serious about fighting corruption.”
As far as legislation for public procurement, the minister said the government faces criticism over lack of transparency on such purchases by various departments.
“The proposed legislation will bring in transparency by asking departments to do all purchases through e tendering. This will reduce a scope for corruption and under table dealings,” the minister informed.
State Congress president Manikrao Thakre said, “The party is committed to curb corruption but it has to be done within the parameters of the Constitution and the parliamentary system. In Maharashtra, the party will do everything to reach out to the people on its commitment to fight corruption. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan’s clean image is a big asset.”