Cooperative societies generally do not allow scrutiny from outside sources. Till date Nafed ,Nccf and Kribhco are fighting cases in Delhi High court against being pushed under RTI Act.
But if draft of Goa Lokayukta Bill submitted to Chief Minister Digamber Kamat is to be believed, it allows lokayukta to take cooperative societies under its ambit.
According to draft bill Lokayukta will be empowered to take action against all functionaries of cooperative societies and others which are getting grant of more than Rs one lakh from the government or foreign or public contributions.
After formally accepting the draft, Kamat told reporters that the Bill would be tabled before the forthcoming State Legislative Assembly session beginning from October 4.
The draft bill gives power to Lokayukta to enquire suo moto as well as on complaint and reference by government into all allegations of corruption, favouritism, nepotism, lack of integrity and others.
Goa Law Commission Chairman Ramakant Khalap and a cooperative leader Khalap said no previous authorisation or sanction will be required to take cognisance of any complaint or to probe into any offence of corruption or to prosecute an offender.
The Chief Minister Kamat is determined to push the bill amidst indication that other states may follow the suit sooner than later. Anna effect is at last happening in cooperatives too!