Veteran anti-corruption campaigner, Mr Anna Hazare, is seeking an autonomous status for the institution of Lokayukta in Maharashtra.
Lokayukta is a public body vested with powers to investigate cases of corruption. In Maharashtra, the body has been in existence since 1972.
To press for his demand, Mr Hazare met the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr Prithviraj Chavan, Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Ajit Pawar, and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief, Mr Raj Thackeray.
Addressing the press on Thursday, Mr Hazare said a public body like Lokayukta should be an independent body like the Election Commission of India and the Supreme Court. It should be free from Central and State Government interference.
Mr Hazare reasoned that if Lokayukta is given more powers, then corrupt practices would come down by 60 per cent. Corruption is on the rise and it is getting difficult for the common man to survive. Inflation is also killing him, he said. He said parties like MNS have extended support for a strong and effective Lokayukta in Maharashtra.
In his close door meeting with the Chief Minister, Mr Hazare handed over a fresh draft of the Lokayukta Bill.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Mr Chavan said Mr Hazare stressed on the need to have a strong Lokayukta to curb corruption in the State. He handed over a draft of the Bill, which is being examined by State Government.
A comparative study would be carried out between the present draft and the older draft submitted by Mr Hazare, as well as well with the Lokayukta Act in force in Uttarakhand.
“The State Government is seeking more clarity on the Centre's Lokpal bill as it is still not clear whether the Lokayukta would be included in the Lokpal Bill,” Mr Chavan said.
Between May 1 and June 6, Mr Hazare would be touring all the 35 districts in the State, to create a strong public support for the institution of Lokayukta.