Arappor Iyakkam flays government over ‘hasty’ Lokayukta Bill in Chennai

CHENNAI: City-based NGO Arappor Iyakkam has deemed the Lokayukta Bill passed by the Assembly on Monday as ‘joke-a-yukta’ - a joke on the people. The Lokayukta Bill, envisioned to empower the people, which was passed without any public consultation, has come under fire from activists. Arappor Iyakkam has raised concerns over the selection committee of the Lokayukta, which comprises the Chief Minister, the Speaker and the Leader of Opposition. 

“The Lokayukta will be the ruling party’s man. How can we expect him/her to act against the people in power?” said Jayaram Venkatesan, who was detained along with three other members of Arappor Iyakkam for protesting the tabling of the Lokayukta Bill without any public consultation outside the Assembly on Monday. He also pointed out how the Lokayukta was not empowered to conduct independent enquiries and take action against the perpetrators of corruption, based on the findings. 

“Lokayukta does not have a prosecution wing and has no powers of chargesheeting the corrupt,” Jayaram said, expressing concerns over the power of the independent body. The activists have also flagged how the bill has allowed imprisonment and fining of those whose complaints have been deemed ‘fake’.  “This is a deterrent for social activists who want to expose wrongdoing,” said Satya Roopa K of the Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group.

Hoarding licence fee in the State to go up
Chennai: The Assembly has adopted a bill to amend the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act,1919 to grant licence for erection of hoardings in any place belonging to the urban local bodies.  The State government has decided to enhance the fee for granting licence for erection of hoardings and also to increase the penalty for violating the regulation.