The Opposition Congress on Friday criticised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for not keeping his promise to establish a strong Lokayukta in the State.
“The Chief Minister had announced on December 28, 2011 for introducing a strong Lokayukta Bill in the Assembly at the height of the Anna Hazare movement. But, so far no such Bill has been introduced,” Congress Chief Whip Prasad Harichandan said.
The Chief Minister had promised to the people of the State that his Government would bring such a Bill after the Gram Panchayat elections in 2012. But two years down the line, there is no word from him on when Bill will be introduced, Harichandan said adding even draft of the proposed Bill was not yet prepared.
The former Minister claimed that the State Government did not table about 23 special reports made by the Lokpal in the Assembly.
“These special reports included one on the controversial Vedanta University case where the Chief Minister and his office have been indicted,” Harichandan said.
Harichandan further said the post of Lokpal was lying vacant for 11 months since the death of previous Lokpal Justice RK Patra.
The Congress leader said the Chief Minister does not want a strong Lokpal as his Government is neck deep in corruption. The Chief Minister preferred to hand over corruption cases including the multi-crore mining scam to the State Vigilance to save his Government.