Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the Union Territory cannot appoint a Lokayukta, as the power to establish such an anti-corruption body rests only with states.
CPI(M) MLA M.Y. Tarigami had introduced a private member’s Bill in the Assembly, seeking the establishment of a Lokayukta in J&K to probe corruption allegations against public officials.
Responding to the proposal, Abdullah explained that Section 63 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, provides for the creation of the anti-corruption agency in every state, not in Union Territories.
“But we are not a state. When we regain statehood, we can certainly do it. As a UT, however, it will be difficult for us,” the chief minister said, urging Tarigami to withdraw the Bill.
Tarigami, however, questioned how society could be made corruption-free—especially among legislators and ministers—until statehood is restored.
“We don’t know what timeline the Union government has set for restoring statehood. Till then, what mechanism will ensure accountability? There are institutions for such purposes in UTs as well—maybe we can have a similar arrangement,” the CPI(M) legislator from Kulgam said.
In reply, Abdullah clarified that Jammu and Kashmir already falls under the jurisdiction of central laws and agencies.
“As a UT, we come under the ambit of Union government laws and investigating agencies. The J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau also functions within its own domain. Everyone, including us, is concerned about corruption, but there is already a system in place,” he said.
Following the government’s opposition, Tarigami eventually withdrew his Bill.
