Dehra Dun: In a novel suggestion, A P J Abdul Kalam today (Sep 27, 2004) 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.

He asked the Lokayuktas to ensure that the elected representatives and Government servants do not become a 'victim' of vilification campaign by vested interests.

"In my view all elected representatives and all top level executives in the States who are responsible for executing the schemes of the Government should be brought under the purview of this body (Lokayukta).

In this regard, the President took note of the some States, which have not set, up the offices of the Lokayuktas.

"I am informed that Lokayuktas in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are vacant at present," he said. "We find that the large number of States and Union territories are not having these institutions. This situation meets the immediate attention of all the elected representatives who are primarily responsible for accountability in governances," he added.

"I would urge all the State Governments to institute the Lokayuktas in their respective States in a time bound manner within the next three months where the mechanism does not exist at present," he said.