President's post under Lok Pal?

In a novel suggestion, A P J Abdul Kalam on Monday favoured that the post of President be brought under the purview of Lokpal.

"I would even suggest that the office of the fountainhead of judiciary, which in our system is the President, be also brought under the purview of the Lokpal," he said, inaugurating the eighth All India Conference of Lokayuktas and Lokpal at the prestigious Forest Research Institute in Dehra Dun.

Observing that there was no uniformity in legislation in various states regarding the functioning of Lokayuktas, the President said, "There is a need to address this anomaly on a national scale."

He suggested a review committee of jurists could be appointed by the government to review the model Lokayukta Act to make it simpler. It is essential to strengthen the internal checks and balances of the democratic system through a constitutionally instituted mechanism, Kalam said adding, "Lokayukta can play a pivotal role in this endeavour."

Noting that MLAs were kept out of the Lokayukta purview, Kalam said the conference should debate who should be brought under the Act and accordingly make recommendations to the government. He also asked Lokayuktas to ensure a speedy delivery system, which can be incorporated as a 'mid-course correction' with minimum damage to the development process.

It is of utmost importance that investigative findings of Lokayuktas are made actionable and the process of investigation and prosecution remains insulated from political influences, he said.