Lokayukta has gone beyond legal boundaries: Sheila Dikshit

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Wednesday attacked Lokayuta Manmohan Sarin, saying the ombudsman had gone beyond his legal boundaries and norms by indicting her for something that happened in 2008. She also insisted that there is no corruption in the Delhi government.

"Whatever the Lokayukta has done is beyond his legal boundaries and norms. Something happened in 2008, why are they remembering it now," Dikshit asked during an interaction with women journalists at the IWPC.

She was referring to Sarin's report indicting her for misusing public funds for "political purpose" as the Delhi government had released newspaper advertisements ahead of the 2008 assembly elections.

She said if there was any misuse of public funds in the poll campaign, the Election Commission would have pointed this out.

"Besides, if a political party or individual violates the law, the Election Commission stops them... I hope that explains the issue," Dikshit said.

The Lokayukta recommended to President Pranab Mukherjee that he should ask Dikshit to reimburse through the Congress party or personally Rs.11 crore being half the cost of the advertisements, or any amount the president thought adequate.

Dikshit also dismissed the frequent allegations of corruption against her government.

"Where is the corruption, can you show me any case," Dikshit asked.

"They tried to indict the government for the Commonwealth Games in the Shunglu committee report but did anything come out? Where is corruption?"

The Delhi government has also been charged with misappropriation of funds during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

"We are making administration more transparent, we are moving towards a system which is very open," Dikshit said.

"If there is delay in providing services, action is taken against the concerned government official. Delhi is one of the best administered states in India," she maintained.