Mah CM Eknath Shinde speaks to activist Anna Hazare after the passing of Lokayukta Bill

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare after the passing of the Lokayukta Bill in the State Legislative Council. A video was released from the chief minister’s office on December 16, where Shinde and Hazare are seen having a phone chat.

The Maharashtra Legislative Council passed the Maharashtra Lokayukta Act, 2022, on Friday, December 15. The Lokayukta Bill had been passed in the Vidhan Sabha in the winter session at Nagpur in 2022.

What did the CM say to Anna Hazare?

While speaking with activist Anna Hazare, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said that it was because of his efforts that the Lokayukta Bill has come into existence. The CM said in Marathi, “Tumchi shakti hoti mhanun he shakya zhala (It’s because of the strong backing from you that it was possible).”

The CM praised Hazare, saying, “There was some negativity and some hurdles in the beginning…But nothing suggested by Anna Hazare can go wrong, it will always be good for the society. There were some obstacles, which are no longer there.”

#WATCH | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde spoke with activist Anna Hazare after State Legislative Council passed the Lokayukta Bill, its jurisdiction will include the chief minister and council of ministers. Maharashtra legislative Assembly has already passed the bill in its previous… pic.twitter.com/GKzZDa2Mad

— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2023

Eknath Shinde further said to Anna Hazare that people will continue to seek guidance and inspiration from him. He further wished him for his good health and well-being.

In the video, the CM is seen speaking from his office chair on his cellphone, surrounded by his staff, while the 86-year-old Hazare is sitting on his bed while speaking.

Anna Hazare was at the forefront of the anti-corruption movement in India in 2011, when he went on a hunger strike for 12 days at the famous Jantar Mantar monument in New Delhi. Hazare’s anti-corruption movement aimed to eradicate corruption in the Indian government and proposed the Jan Lokpal Bill, which has now taken the form of the Lokayukta Bill.

What is the Lokayukta Bill?

The Lokayukta Bill is a landmark legislation where the chief minister and council of ministers will come under the ambit of the anti-corruption ombudsman. However, the Lokayukta will need to seek approval of the Vidhan Sabha before initiating any inquiry against the chief minister.

Moreover, the Lokayukta will not investigate cases involving allegations of corruption against the chief Minister on matters that are related to internal security or public order. 

Any trial against the chief minister, elected representatives or any Cabinet minister will have to be completed within a year of the complaint.

Also, such an inquiry shall be kept secret, and the records will not be published if the Lokayukta concludes that the complaint is to be dismissed.

The Lokayukta shall have a Chairperson, and four additional members, including two from the judiciary. The chairperson will be a present or former Chief Justice of a High Court or a judge of the Supreme Court of India or the Bombay High Court.

Maharashtra became the first state in India to have passed such a bill.