The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption authority constituted at the state level. It investigates allegations of corruption and mal-administration against public servants and is tasked with speedy redressal of public grievances. The Administrative Reforms Commission, (1966-70), had recommended the creation of the Lokpal at the Centre and a Lokayukta in the States. The Centre is yet to get a Lokpal while a powerful Lokayukta in Goa continues to be a dream.
The objective of a Lokayukta is to ensure transparency and accountability in the administration. It rectifies the malpractices in the administration while also addressing peoples’ grievances. The Lokayukta has to facilitate the process of good governance and provide a speedy and cheaper form of justice for the common man. While checking and controlling the abuse and misuse of power by public functionaries a Lokayukta has to ensure that corruption is attacked and tackled. Members of the public can directly approach the Lokayukta with complaints of corruption, nepotism or any other form of mal-administration against any government official. The Lokayukta is created as a statutory authority with a fixed tenure to enable it to discharge its functions independently and impartially. Rightly the Lokayukta has to be headed by a former High Court Chief Justice or a former Supreme Court judge. Today various states have a Lokayukta and their range of powers vary. There is a need for a constitutional amendment to make the institution of Lokayukta uniform across the country. The Right to Information Act has been a very vibrant tool to unearth and unravel corruption, the Lokayukta is the mechanism to prosecute and punish the corrupt. Goa is embroiled in rampant Corruption. Today, corruption has become institutionalized to a large extent, while the Anti-corruption cell in the Directorate of Vigilance has become dysfunctional, controlled and manipulated by the politicians in power. This is very evident as in 2010 only two Goa government servants, Mr. P.K.Patidar, then Registrar of Co-operative Societies and Mr. Subhash Velip, a Talathi in the office of the Mamlatdar at Quepem, were booked for corruption. The Goa government should notify the Goa Lokayukta Bill, 2003, after getting it passed with necessary amendments in the session of the Goa Legislative Assembly scheduled on October 5th. But the true test for this government is only once the Lokayukta is set up. This government will try all tactics to scuttle the Lokayukta as most of the current Ministers and some MLA‘s will end up cooling their heels in jail. And to add to their discomfort the state of the art Central jail at Colvale is not yet ready. It has to be ensured that the Advocate General of Goa, NRI Commissioner and the Chairman of the Law Commission are all brought within the ambit of the proposed Goa Lokayukta legislation. All the three enjoy cabinet rank status and have over the last few years been accused of various grave financial and other irregularities. Goa’s top most priority should be the setting up of a Lokayukta. Rampant corruption is Goa’s biggest obstacle to its overall development and prosperity. This has been the most corrupt and non -performing government that Goa has had. There has been a total collapse in the administration. We cannot expect the bureaucracy to be honest if the political leadership stinks of corruption. Goa cannot afford to have a Lokayukta that is a ‘toothless tiger’. A powerful and truly independent Lokayukta may be the only way forward as the cancer of corruption has infested every part of the administration in Goa. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
