NEW DELHI: The second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) has recommended that the Lok Pal be given a constitutional status and renamed the "Rashtriya Lokayukta." It, however, wanted the Prime Minister kept out of the ombudsman's jurisdiction.

In its fourth report on "Ethics in Governance," the Commission recommended steps to bring about greater transparency and accountability in governance at all levels and root out corruption.

"Scrap MPLADS"

The Commission, headed by Veerappa Moily, recommended the abolition of schemes such as the MPLADS (Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) and the MLALADS (Member of the Legislative Assembly Local Area Development Scheme).

At a press conference, Mr. Moily said while some recommendations could be implemented immediately, some others required debate and consultation and amendments to the Constitution.

The 263-page report laid down a code of ethics for civil servants and recommended the setting up of a judicial council for judges' appointment. It was presented to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Minister of State for Personnel and Public Grievances Suresh Pachauri.

For enforcing ethical conduct in high places and providing a continuum in the fight against corruption, the report recommended that the Rashtriya Lokayukta's jurisdiction be extended to all Union Ministers (except the Prime Minister), all Chief Ministers, all those holding public office equivalent to the rank of a Union Minister, and MPs.

The Rashtriya Lokayukta should be headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, have an eminent jurist as member and the Central Vigilance Commissioner as the ex-officio member.

"The Prime Minister is accountable to Parliament and on his survival depends the survival of the Government. If the Prime Minister's conduct is open to formal scrutiny by extra-parliamentary authorities, then the Government's viability is eroded and Parliament's supremacy is in jeopardy," the ARC said.

Giving reasons for keeping the Prime Minister out of the ombudsman's jurisdiction, it said: "Any enquiry into a Prime Minister's official conduct by any authority other than Parliament would severely undermine the Prime Minister's capacity to lead the Government. Such weakening of the Prime Minister's authority would surely lead to a serious failure of governance and lack of harmony and coordination, and would severely undermine public interest."

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