By Aires Rodrigues
The Goa Government should immediately commence a public awareness campaign on the recently notified Goa Lokayukta Act. The public need be made aware of their rights and responsibilities in regards to the Lokayukta Act. This awareness drive should be across every town and by possibly having a presentation on the Goa Lokayukta Act at the gram sabhas at the village level.
While the Lokayukta is in the process of being set up, the awareness campaign could begin to enlighten the people on the issues of mal administration, corruption and abuse of power that they could raise before the Lokayukta for the redressal of their grievances.
The government could seek the assistance of Law College students or some NGO’s in this awareness drive to seek the people’s role in striving to make Goa corruption free. Along with around 50 like minded advocates across Goa I am ready to volunteer my services over the week end to help in this public awareness campaign on the Goa Lokayukta Act.
The success of the Lokayukta would to a very large extent depend on the public participating fearlessly in raising documented cases of corruption and other misdeeds by public servants. The public at large have a crucial role as watch dogs in curbing the cancer of corruption that is corroding Goa.
The Lokayukta would be empowered not to merely probe complaints about corruption but any type of maladministration and abuse of power would also come under the scanner and the jurisdiction of the Lokayukta.
A transparent administration is a must for reducing corruption. The office of Lokayukta could help in achieving this with public support and participation.
Copies of the Goa Lokayukta Act in English, Konkani, Marathi and Hindi should be made available at all Mamlatdar offices as well as at the Panchayats, Municipalities, Colleges, Schools and Public Libraries for the benefit of the public.
