Congress-led United Democratic Front meets Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad.  |  Photo Credit: ANI
Thiruvananthapuram: A delegation led by Opposition Leader V D Satheesan in Kerala on Thursday met with Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and requested him not to sign an ordinance to amend the Lokayukta Act.
The Congress-led UDF has decided to step up pressure on the Governor to keep away from giving consent to the proposed ordinance.
In a bid to clip the wings of the anti-corruption ombudsman, the Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala is set to amend the state Lokayukta Act through an ordinance amid stirrings of protest by the opposition.
According to the proposed amendment, the Lokayukta would have only powers to make recommendations or send reports to the government, effectively reducing its powers to advisory in nature.
Appealing to the Governor not to give assent to the ordinance, Opposition Leader V D Satheesan earlier sent a letter to him saying the move was to “water down” the powers of the Lokayukta.
He also expressed apprehension that this would destroy the very existence of the establishment of the watchdog.
The development came at a time when there are complaints pending against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Higher Education Minister R Bindu at the Lokayukta.
The amendment is aimed at giving powers to the government to “either accept or reject the verdict of the Lokayukta, after giving an opportunity of being heard”.
In the previous LDF regime, Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel was forced to step down after the Lokayukta found that he had abused his office. Jaleel had faced a case pertaining to an illegal appointment of his relative in the state minorities development corporation.