Kejriwal cannot dictate terms: Dhumal on Lokayukta remark

Taking strong exception to reported remarks of Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal that Lokayukta was defunct in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister P K Dhumal today said his government was committed to amending the legislation but the social activist cannot "dictate terms" in the matter.

Dhumal said Kejriwal's observations were not based on facts. "The Public Service Guarantee Act passed by the government was very strong and effective and we are committed to amend the Lokayukta Act in consultation with present Lokayukta and other concerned but Kejriwal cannot dictate terms," he said.

"The BJP government is for zero tolerance against corruption and takes all the necessary steps, including strengthening the Lokayukta, to root out corruption," Dhumal said.

Kejriwal had reportedly said in Mandi yesterday that Public Service Guarantee Act in the state was defunct and without independent mechanism to provide justice to applicants.

Charges of rampant corruption in the state were ill-founded, Dhumal said, adding he was the "first chief minister" to openly support Anna Hazare's anti-graft campaign.