HP chief minister, Dhumal brings Lokayukta bill in assembly

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today brought a bill in the state assembly to put in place an effective Lokayukta system, giving more power to the ombudsman.

Introducing the Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta Bill, Dhumal appealed to members to carefully read it and have a healthy discussion.

"We (cabinet) have incorporated suggestions received from various quarters, including the public. It's an important bill. From the chief minister to a ward panch (ward member in panchayat), everybody is covered by it," Dhumal said.

Speaker Tulsi Ram said the bill had been listed for discussion on the last day of the budget session, that is Friday.

Before the introduction of the bill, Congress legislator GS Bali sought clarification from the government on Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal's recent criticism of the draft of the Lokayukta Bill.

Distancing himself from Team Anna members, Dhumal said no officials had gone to Delhi to meet Team Anna members. He added Kejriwal's assertions were not sacrosanct.