Lokpal's appointment delayed to incorporate changes: Parrikar

The Lokpal's appointment has been delayed since the law passed on the issue needs some changes and the process in on, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Friday.

"The anti-corruption institution seemed ineffective to deal with corruption and hence the government felt the need for some amendments. So, the Lokpal's appointment had been delayed," Parrikar told the media during his visit to Ghaziabad along with cabinet colleague and local BJP MP Gen. V.K. Singh (retd).

The Supreme Court had on May 9 pulled up the government for not implementing the Lokpal Act and sought an explanation as to why the anti-graft ombudsman had not been appointed so far.

After Parrikar told reporters that the Centre had eradicated corruption, he was quizzed why the Lokpal's post was still lying vacant even though the Act came into force in 2014.

Listing the government's achievements in the last two years, he said the weaker sections of society were on the priority list of the government.

The minister said embezzlement of subsidy in over three crore cooking gas connections was stopped with the introduction of Aadhaar cards.

Speaking on the occasion, V.K. Singh said he will clear all stumbling blocks to the upcoming metro train project.

He said he is scheduled to meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on June 20 on the issue.

--IANS

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