Government Lokpal Bill a 'mere formality': B C Khanduri

NEW DELHI: Dubbing the current version of the government Lokpal Bill a "mere formality", Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri today said such an ombudsman cannot curb corruption.

"It's too premature to speak on it (the Lokpal Bill under consideration of the Parliamentary Committee). But the way they are talking, it seems to be a mere formality...It is not correct. What's the use of having a mere formality on the issue of Lokpal as it will have no control over corruption," he told reporters here.

Khanduri said his state has made an effort to set up a Lokayukta institution which is above administrative and financial "pressures" to deal with corruption.

The Uttarakhand legislation, on the lines of the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by Team Anna, will cover ministers, including the chief m,inister and government servants including IAS and IPS officers, besides the lower judiciary.

The bill provides for minimum punishment of six months and the maximum of life imprisonment. It will also have former chief ministers, ministers and retired officers under its purview but leaves Uttarakhand High Court judges out of it.

The Lokayukta will consist of a chairperson and five members with a scope of increasing the number to seven as per the requirement.