Mamata questions Centre over its failure to appoint Lokpal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today questioned the BJP-led NDA government over its failure to appoint the Lokpal at the Centre.

"There are certain leaders who are questioning us. But I want to ask why the Centre has not appointed a Lokpal so far. The Lokpal Bill had been passed by the Centre in 2013," she said while speaking on the West Bengal Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

The opposition has been vocal about the chief minister being kept out of the purview of West Bengal Lokayukta Amendment Bill, 2018 in matters relating to public order. The Bill was passed in the assembly today.

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill-2013 envisages establishment of anti-graft body Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states to look into cases of corruption against certain categories of public servants.

Hearing a case on the delay in the appointment of a Lokpal, the Supreme Court had recently expressed dissatisfaction over the Centre's response on appointment of search committee members.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led panel may consider appointment of eminent persons as members of the Lokpal search committee, the central government had said yesterday.

Banerjee today came down heavily on the Congress legislature party for its desire to vote against the government during the passage of the The West Bengal Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2018 in the assembly today.

"I am not afraid of voting. Today you will vote against me, tomorrow I will vote against you. As you sow so will you reap. We are working in Bengal doesn't mean Bengal is out of our reach," she said.