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Lokpal and Lokayukta

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 16-Sep-2024

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  • Act: Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013
  • It was enacted to combat corruption in India by establishing an independent authority, known as Lokpal, at the national level and Lokayuktas at the state level.
  • These institutions are statutory bodies without any constitutional status.
  • Evolution
    • The concept of ombudsman originated in 1809 in Sweden.
    • New Zealand and Norway adopted this system in the year 1962.
    • In the early 1960s, former law minister Ashok Kumar Sen was the first Indian to introduce the idea of a constitutional Ombudsman in Parliament.
    • Dr. L. M. Singhvi coined the term Lokpal and Lokayukta in 1963.
    • In 1966, the First Administrative Reform Commission passed recommendations regarding the setting up of two independent authorities.
    • The Lokpal bill was passed in Lok Sabha in 1968 but lapsed due to the dissolution of Lok Sabha. Since then, the bill was introduced many times in Lok Sabha but has lapsed.
    • The India Against Corruption (IAC) movement, led by Anna Hazare in April 2011, called for an independent anti-corruption body led to the introduction and eventual passage of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill in 2013.
    • It received assent from President on 1 January 2014 and came into force on 16 January 2014.
  • Objective: To address complaints of corruption against public officials, including politicians, bureaucrats and other government employees, ensuring accountability and transparency in public governance.
  • Composition
    • Lokpal is a Nine Member body consisting of a chairperson (who may be a current or former Chief Justice of India, a Supreme Court judge, or an eminent person with expertise in anti-corruption) and up to 8 other members.
    • At least 50% of the members must be judicial members, and the rest from various fields like public administration, law, and anti-corruption.
  • Jurisdiction
    • Lokpal has jurisdiction over the Prime Minister (with certain limitations), Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, and high-level government officials.
    • Lokpal can also investigate complaints against employees of public sector undertakings (PSUs) and other public servants, if accused of corruption.
  • It has the power to directly inquire, investigate, and prosecute individuals involved in corrupt activities.
  • It acts as independent bodies free from executive control, ensuring impartial investigations.
  • It provides safeguards for whistleblowers who report corrupt activities, ensuring their safety and anonymity.
  • First Lokpal of India: Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose
  • Present Lokpal of India: Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar