Lokayukta be allowed to probe graft in DDA, Delhi Police: Maken

Reiterating his party’s commitment to a strong Lokpal, Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken on Sunday extended support to the move to bring the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi Police – which are controlled by the Centre – under the purview of Delhi Lokayukta.

“As long as this applies to public functionaries of the departments of the Delhi government, DDA, MCD, NDMC, Delhi Police, and the Members of Parliament from Delhi and Union and state ministers from Delhi pertaining to their actions concerning people of Delhi, this provision in my opinion should be allowed,” Maken said.

The Congress leader, however, clarified that in the absence of any officially circulated draft, he would like to reserve his final comments on procedure and on other aspects of the Bill, till it is tabled in the Assembly on Monday.

The draft Janlokpal Bill, approved by the Delhi Cabinet, mandates the Lokayukta to look into complaints of corruption in MCD, DDA and Delhi Police. This move has drawn flak from various quarters, including former AAP leader Prashant Bhushan who said it has been done to “provoke” the Centre.

Maken said his party had earlier also stated that under no circumstances it would support the dilution of the Janlokpal Bill as introduced by the AAP Government on February 13, 2014, in Delhi Assembly.

“Delhi Lokayukta should be allowed to look into acts of corruption directly impacting people of Delhi through the actions of MCD, DDA and Delhi Police also. The Congress party would again like to re-iterate its commitment for a strong Lokpal in Delhi,” he said.