LOKPAL AND LOKAYUKTA
What are lokpal and Lokayukta?
- Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 provided for the establishment of Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for the States.
- These institutions do not have constitutional status.
What are the functions of Lokpal and Lokayukta?
- Deals with complaints made by ordinary people against public organizations.
- Inquires allegations of corruption in Government institutions and related matters.
Why do we need Lokpal and Lokayukta?
- To prevent maladministration and Corruption.
- Other anti-corruption agencies are
- Not functioning independently
- Only advisory bodies, do not have any effective powers.
- Have a problem with internal transparency and accountability.
- It offers a solution to the never-ending problem of corruption.
What are the features of Lokpal?
- Consists of a chairperson with maximum of 8 members out of which 50% shall be judicial members.
- Have 50% reservation to minorities and women.
- Selection Committee selects the chairperson and members
- Provides a mechanism for swift and unbiased investigation and prosecution
Who comes under the purview of Lokpal?
- All public servants
- Prime minister, Members of Parliament, and Central ministers
- All investing agencies
- Institutions fully or partly financed by the government
- But not the institutions aided by government
What are the features of Lokayukta?
- Structure of the Lokayukta is different in all states
- Lokayukta and Upalokayukta are appointed by the Governor of the state
- Some states have Judicial qualifications, other do not need specific qualifications for the post of chairman and members.
- Term of office is of 5 years duration / 65 years of age
- Can initiate investigations only if the complaint is made by citizens but cannot start investigations on their own.