Anna be consulted to make Lokayukta 'broad-based': Nitish

"We have realised the need for strengthening Lokayukta... We will take help of Anna Hazare in our determined bid to make Lokayukta further broad-based and effective in Bihar," Kumar told reporters at his state Assembly chamber.

"There is a lot of scope for improvement in the present system... we will be fixing up a meeting with Anna may be towards end of this month or early next month in the process for making Lokayukta a very very effective tool," he said.

"I already had initial discussions with Hazare during my recent visit to New Delhi... Hazare has appreciated the efforts made by the government for reining in corruption," Kumar said. Chief Minister said Hazare had also appreciated the provisions of confiscation of illegal properties of public servants, besides speedy trial required to be ensured in handling the disproportionate assets cases.

Kumar said the process of providing more teeth to the Lokayukta would be undertaken after consultation with the leaders of ruling alliance partner BJP.

The Chief Minister said Hazare too had suggested implementation of an act on the pattern of Maharashtra to check irregularities in panchayats and gram sabhas. "My office has already obtained the copy of the legislation from Maharashtra... we will discuss and study the legislation threadbare before taking any final step," Kumar said.
He said the issue of corruption could be effectively tackled right from the grass-root level.

"We are going to have Lokprahari (ombudsmen) in every district to monitor the functioning and avoid misuse and misappropriation of funds at the grass-root level," Kumar said.