Shodhganga - History of Lokpal Bill

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 66

CHAPTER-2

Lokpat and f okayukta in India


According to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index

2012, India is ranked at ninety four in the list of one hundred seventy six countries

ranging from least corrupt to most corrupt countries.' India has so many anti-

corruption institution and laws but still, it does not stand out as a clean country. On

the contrary, it has been standing amongst the most corrupt countries of the world.' It

is said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupt absolutely. These forewarning

words have really been proved true in the case of public administration in India. In

any democratic set-up, such as ours, the citizens in theory are the masters and the

Government officials their servants. But in actual practice, the concept often appears

to operate in the opposite order.' The issue of corruption is as old as the society itself.

It has been present in every society at all times. The only difference has been is that of

a degree.° There are numerous references of the official corruption in ancient India.

But the most elaborate reference source seems to be Kautilya's Arthashastra. Its

chapter entitled "Detection of what is embezzled by Government servants out of State

revenue" reads like a modem official report on the different modes of corruption.

Kautilya recognizes forty different types of embezzlement including bribery, graft,

favoritism, frauds, manipulation of prices oC commodities, theft in different

department of the Government etc.` In ancient India, the rulers knew that officers

could be corrupt due to greed. The Dhramashatra, Smritis, Mahabharat. Arthashtra

and Ashoka's edicts and inscriptions had emphasized that the ruler should have a

proper vigil on his officers.6

In medieval India, corruption was rife during the Sultanate and Mughal

periods. In the Mughal era the invention of Balhshish as a practice of rewarding

Government employees even for routine tasks legitimized corruption. In the post-
37

Akbar period the civil service became highly corrupt.' With the fall of the Mughal

Empire and the ushering in a new era of British rule in India. corruption had taken the

alarming proportions. The East India Company a body of British traders had exploited

India, amassed wealth and brought India on the verge of bankruptcy.8

Corruption as present in the British rule hut, it was not apparent to the

common people primarily because it did not affect the efficiency of administration. It

was found that if the corrupt officers were exposed, then they were strictly punished

and condemned.° No doubt that the British monarchy through its representative, the

Governor General, had tried to build up good administrative machinery in India. But

some of the departments, such as Police. Revenue and Excise were vested with vast

discretionary powers and were susceptible to corruption. The lower ladder of judiciary

were also said to be corrupt to the core. The Second World War produced conditions

which make money making easy. The possession of a license became a thing of' high

value and dishonest and unscrupulous persons did not hesitate to offer bribes in order

to secure the license to trade in the commodities affected war conditions, thus

provided the opportunity for corruption.

With the dawn of independence, India embarked upon era of welfare State. As

such the activities of the Government got increased. The officials were assigned new

and unfamiliar tasks. This resulted in the emergence of new regulations, controls,

licenses and permits. which provided abundant opportunities for corruption. Things

became still worse when democratically elected representatives also joined the vicious

circle of corruption.1 ' On 15'h December 1947, Mahatma Gandhi, in one of his prayer

meetings, expressed his anguish over the state of corruption prevailing in Indian

society. He said "I hear from many quarters that it (corruption) is on the increase, will

everyone is for himself and none for India''.'1 From the first 1952 general election till
38

today, corruption has increased in every field. Politicians, bureaucrats and

businessman all involved in the comiption." The Government organizations are

rendering poor services and displaying attitude of superiority. Maladministration led

to grievances and corruption. There has been a feeling of unfair treatment, non-

transparency and lack of accountability." Currently the corruption has spread over

each and every aspect of public administration in India. Ranging from Bofors case to

2G scam all these scam involved a large number of police officers, politicians,

Government employees etc. It is suitable to comment that Indian condition, have been

operating on the characteristics of the Prismatic Model, as developed by Fred W,

Riggs. According to the prismatic model, the functions of the developing society are

not fully differentiated and such a situation is characterized by institutionalized

corruption practices, inefficiency, a high degree of formalism, and bureaucracy is

dominated by the motives of self-protection among other characters.14

Growth of Anti-Corruption machinery in India

In 1941 during the British period in order to fight corruption Government of

India had created the Special Police Establishment. Suitable modifications were three

times made in the organization, first in 1946, second in 1963, and finally the Special

Police Establishment was converted into one of the divisions of the Central Bureau of

Investigation. It was with the affirmed purpose of fighting corruption the Government

had enacted the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947 and the Commissions of Inquiry

Act 1952. Following the recommendations of the Bakshi Tek Chand Committee

(1952) which reviewed the working of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 and

evaluated the functioning of Special Police Establishment, in 1955 the Administrative

Vigilance Division was established under the Ministry of Home Affairs to coordinate

anti-corruption effort against the bureaucrats in all the Central Ministries.15 In June
39

1962 during the debate on the demands for the Ministry of Home Affairs, many

Members of Parliament referred to the growing menace of corruption in

administration. In order to review the problem of corruption and make suggestion, in

1962 a parliamentary committee on the prevention of corruption headed by K.

Santhanam was constituted. On the recommendations of the committee, in 1964, the

Government of India established the office of the Vigilance Commissioner at the

Central level known as Central Vigilance Commission to deal expeditiously with

cases of corruption in the Central and All India Services. The question of evolving

machinery for dealing with the grievances of individual citizens against the

administration was left to be decided in future. As a follow-up to the Central action

the office of the Vigilance Commission was established in many States. The Central

Vigilance Commission was deficient on two counts. Firstly, it was constituted to look

into the allegations of corruption against public servants only other persons were

debarred from its jurisdiction. Secondly, it was constituted to look into the alleged

cases of corruption only. Thus the matter concerning public corruption at the political

level and that of grievances could not be looked into by it.'7

The existing legal and institutional framework to check corruption and redress

citizens grievances in India consist of the following:

Public Servant Enquiries Act 1850, Indian Penal Code 1860, Special Police

Establishment Act 1941, Delhi Police Establishment Act 1946, Prevention of

Corruption Act 1947, Commission of Inquiry Act 1952 (against political leaders and

eminent public men). All India Services Conduct Rules 1954, Central Civil Services

Conduct Rules 1955, Railway Services Conduct Rules 1956, Vigilance Organizations

in Ministries or Departments. Vigilance Organizations in Attached and Subordinate

Offices, Vigilance Organizations in Public Undertakings, Central Vigilance


40

Commission 1964, Anti-Corruption Bureaus in States, Lokayukta in States, Divisional

Vigilance Board, District Vigilance Officer. National Consumer Disputes Redressal

Commission, Commission for Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes, Supreme Court

and High Court in States, Administrative Tribunals (quasi-judicial bodies),

Directorate of Public Grievances in the Cabinet Secretariat 1988, Parliament and its

Committees. File to Field Program in some States like Kerala, Right To Information

Act of 200.18

Since the 1950, there have been large numbers of committees and

commissions that have gone into aspects of corruption. They include the Kaldor

Report (1956), the Santhanam Committee (1964), the Wanchoo Committee (1971),

the Dagli Committee (1979), and the Kelkar Committee (2002) and many more. Then

there are the reports of Estimates Committees, the Comptroller and Auditor General

and the Public Account Committee. The reports contain thousands of suggestions and

hundreds of them have been implemented, yet the size of the corruption has grown.

Today. illegality is widespread in society and tackling illegality is the most urgent

task. `'

Demand for an Ombudsman to Curb Corruption in India

After independence Government has taken the responsibility of development

and welfare of its people, as a result the points of contact between the administration

and the citizens have multiplied substantially. The size of the administrative

machinery has increased. The numerous economic controls, which have been adopted

for ensuring the development proceeds in accordance with the objectives and

priorities of the five year plans, have tended to control economic activity and citizens

life in several respects. As accumulative results of all these developments, the

magnitude of the citizen's grievances against administration has increased. Millions


41

of administrative decisions are made each year and if some of these decisions are

arbitrary or unjustified there is no easy way for the ordinary citizen to get it redressed.

In India. the idea of an independent authority like Ombudsman which could look into

citizen's grievances originated as a part of the search for solution to the growing

corrupt practices in the fifties.'' During the fifties and more particularly the late fifties

demands for setting up commissions of enquiries began to be raised against some of

the top ranking politicians and civil servants. Under heavy demands from the public

and the parliamentarians in some cases commissions were set up by the

Government.21 An academic Professor Karve and Bodh Raj Sharma, in 1950,

suggested the establishment of Ombudsman in India. In 1951 A.D. Gorewala, in his

report on public administration, has talked about need of certain machinery for the

improvement of the integrity on moral standards of, as well as efficiency in the

administration.22 The issue of corruption was attracting the attention of elected

representatives of India for several years. Strong views were spoken in parliamentary

discussions on the Criminal Law Bill 1952, on the Commission of Enquiry Bill 1952,

on a Resolution of 1954, on the setting up of a commission to examine the

administrative setup and procedure of work of Government of India 1954, on the

Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 1955, on Prevention of Corruption

(Second Amendment Bill, 1962), and on similar other occasions.23 Since July 1959 in

India the setting up of an Ombudsman type of authority has become a public issue,

when C.D Deshmukh. then chairman of the University Grants Commission and a

former Union Finance Minister, raised the issue in the public lecture in Madras. He

called for the setting up of a high-level, impartial, standing judicial tribunal to

investigate and report on cases of corruption, maladministration and misuse of office.

He said that if such an institution were set up, "I shall be happy to make a beginning
42

by lodging half a dozen reports myself.'` At a press conference Nehru said that he

had requested S.R. Das former Chief Justice of India, to hold a preliminary enquiry

into the complaints of Deshmukh. Soon after this N. Sanjeeva Reddy, then Congress

president also announced on 28'h June 1960 the creation of a panel of five eminent

jurists to enquire into charges against congressmen those who were in responsible

positions.`' In 1960 K.M Munshi a parliamentarian, made a demand for the

appointment of an Ombudsman for controlling maladministration and con; uption.26 In

1962, a study by the National Academy of Administration Mussoorie came to the

conclusion that an institution of an Ombudsman or a bode of similar nature will be

well-matched to Indian requirements. According to the report. due to the big size of

the country there is a need of an Ombudsman not only at the Centre, but Ombudsmen

are also required at the State level.27 The institution of Ombudsman was also

recommended in 1962 in the Third All India Law Conference, New Delhi, the need of

an Ombudsman was also discussed at the third All India Law Ministers Conference

and also at Madras Bar Association, Madras in October 1963. The support for the

Ombudsman also came from many unexpected quarters such as from the chairman of

the All India Manufacturer Association in November 1963.25 On I5th JuI}' 1963, the

then Chief Justice of India P.B. Gajendragadkar while making a convocation address

at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, in New Delhi, lend his strong support

to the cause of an Ombudsman for India.29 On 3"t November 1963 at Jaipur, in All

India Congress Committee on the working of the Kamraj plan, the late Prime Minister

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had welcomed the idea of the Ombudsman who should have

the full authority to deal with the charges against the Prime Minister and command

respect and confidence from al1.30 Jawaharlal Nehru said that the institution, which

could deal with charges of corruption against the Prime Minister, fascinated him but
43

the introduction of such an institution in a big country like India was behest with

problems "t Inaugural speech of M.0 Setalwad,32 a well-known jurist and a former

Attorney General of India, in the Third All India Law Conference held in 1962 also

stressed the significance of establishing the institution of Ombudsman in India.33M.0

Setalvad, pleaded for a study of the Ombudsman concept." For the first time in

Parliament, on 3'd April 1963 L.M. Singhvi while participating in a debate in Lok

Sabha on the demands for the grants of the Ministry of Law raised the question of

having an Ombudsman for India. It was recommended by him that such an institution

could probably be the actual solution for the various problems which arise in respect

of injustices done in particular cases.'` In 1963 under the chairmanship of H.C.

Mathur the Government of Rajasthan appointed a committee to suggest administrative

reforms. In September 1963 in its report submitted to the Government, committee

made recommendation for the establishment of an Ombudsman .36 In 1964, Gulzari

Lal Nanda, the then Home Minister, after initially giving his support to the idea of

Ombudsman also expressed doubts that the institution of Ombudsman might not

succeed in a country as vast as India. He emphasized, that the problem of corruption

demanded that organizations from taluka level up to national level should be formed

to fight corruption."At this initiative a non-oPffcial, non-political and non-sectarian

organization named Sadachar Samiti was formed on 13thApril, 1964, with Nanda

himself as the president with the purpose of creating a social and moral climate to

fight and eradicate corruption. It was under his patronage that another unofficial

agency named as Bharat Sewak Samaj came up to help in the eradication of

corruption in Indian public life. The overall impression one gets is that the party in

power and mainly the Home Minister seemed to be more interested in such

institutions as the above rather than in the institution of Ombudsman.


44

Meanwhile pressure was increasing on the Government inside Parliament, for

the establishment of' an office similar to the office of the Ombudsman in the

Scandinavian countries to deal with the problem of corruption and grievances of the

people. On 22O1t April. 1964 through a Private Members Resolution moved by L.M.

Singhvi in the Lok Sabha, the Government was urged to consider the appointment of

an officer of Parliament to be known as the People's Procurator (Lokayukta) or

Ombudsman for the purpose of providing an effective and unbiased investigating

machinery which deals with the public grievances arising out of administrative

wrongs and eliminate corruption at all level. The Resolution was later on withdrawn

on a promise by the Minister of State for Horne Affairs that the Government would

get matter investigated with a vision of creating the appropriate machinery to achieve

the desired objective. Taking note of the Government's failure in developing a

suitable machinery even after the lapse of one year L.M. Singhvi again moved the

Lok Sahha on 23`dApril, 1965 to constitute a committee of Members of Parliament to

examine the form and feasibility of bringing into appropriate machinery for the

investigation and redress of public grievances including the establishment of

Ombudsman. Although all sections of the House supported the Resolution, but it was

not acceptable to the Ministers mainly on account of two reasons. Firstly, that a

consultative group of the Members of Parliament had already been appointed to give

advice to the Government and secondly, that the Committee on Prevention of

Corruption had already made its recommendations in this respect and the question

before the Government, therefore was one of its implementation and not the

appointment of another committee.38 There was a continuous call for the

administrative reforms, which led to the composition of a Special Consultative Group

of Members of Parliament on Administrative Reforms in ] 965. The group appointed


45

three sub committees including one on Administrative Tribunal and Machinery for the

Redress of Grievances at the Centre. It however, could not complete its work on the

matter of citizen's grievances. Meanwhile there was a rising demand and strong

public opinion for the appointment of an All India Administrative Reforms

Commission, this led the Government of India to set up a high level Administrative

Reform Commission under the chairmanship of Shri Morarji Desai on 5`" January,

1966, to examine numerous aspects of the functioning of the administrative system

including the adequacy of the existing arrangement for the redress of grievances and

the need for introduction of any fresh machinery for redress of grievances and suggest

ways and means to bring about improvement in the administration.'' The

Administrative Reform Commission appointed by the Government of India have

found the existing safety measure for the citizens and the arrangements for redress of

their grievances inadequate and it came to the conclusion that India too is in need of

an Ombudsman type of institution. The Administrative Reform Commission had

recommended the setting up of two institutions, which are to be designated as the

Lokpal and Lokayukta.40

Proposal of Administrative Reform Commission for Lokpal and Lokayukta

According to the Administrative Reform Commission, the Lokpal (protector

of the people) was appointed to deal with the complaints against the Ministers and the

Secretaries of Government posted at the Centre and in the States. And there was to be

appointed a Lokayukta one in each State and one for the Centre to look into the

complaints against public officials other than Ministers and Secretaries to the

Government. The Lokpal will be appointed by the President of India on the advice of

the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and the leader of the opposition in the Lok

Sabha, if there is no such leader, a person will be elected for this purpose by the
46

opposition in the Lok Sabha in such a manner as the Speaker may direct. The Lokpal

is not allowed to hold any office of profit, nor can he continue as a Member of

Parliament or State Legislature if he is already elected. He will hold office for a

period of five years and he can be reappointed. The Lokpal shall not be removed from

his office except by an order of the President, passed after an address, by each House

of Parliament which is supported by a majority of the total membership of that House

and by a majority of not less than two thirds of the Members of that House present,

and voting has been presented to the President in the same session for such removal

on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity to hold office. The Lokpal will

have the same status, salary, allowances and conditions of services as that of the Chief

Justice of India. If the Lokpal is satisfied on the action taken on his recommendations,

he will close the case but where he is not satisfied and he considers that the case

deserves something else then he may make a special report upon the case to the Lok

Sabha or to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned as the case may be. He

will also place before Parliament or the Legislature of the State concerned an Annual

Report on his functions and recommendations. The Lokpal may investigate any action

taken with the approval of a Minister or Secretary in case a written complaint is made

to him, or when information comes to his knowledge, that a particular action has

resulted in favor being shown to any person or an injustice in consequence of

maladministration. He will also afford an opportunity to the Minister or Secretary to

explain their conduct. The Lokpal may require any Minister or officer or any other

person who in his opinion is able to furnish information or produce documents

relevant to the investigation. The Administrative Reform Commission also attached

the draft Bill on the subject with its report to the Government. The idea behind

proposing this draft Bill was to enable the Government to take prompt and quick
-'I

October, 1966, a
action to establish the institution of Lokpal and Lokayukta.4 ' On 2O October,

draft Bill was submitted by the chairman of the Administrative Reform Commission

for the consideration of the Government. The draft Bill was modeled on the pattern of

the Parliamentary Commission Act, 1962, of New Zealand.42 The Government of

India accepted the recommendations of the Administrative Reform Commission on

the creation of the institution of the Lokpal and Lokayukta.43 On I0`h November,

1966, through a private member's Resolution an attempt was made in the Lok Sabha

to direct the Government for the speedy implementation of the Administrative Reform

Commission recommendations relating to the grievance redressal by enacting suitable

legislation for the purpose. The Resolution was, later on, ithdrawn on the assurance

of the Minister for Home Affairs that the Government is seriously thinking on this

matter and was not deliberately delaying it. The Home Minister felt the need of

providing an opportunity to the State Governments and State Legislature to study the

character of the institution and give their on opinion on it. After waiting a lot and

finding that the Government is unsuccessful in implementing the recommendations of

the Administrative Reform Commission about the appointment of the Lokpal and the

Lokvuktas, a private members Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by P.K. Deo. The

Bill introduced by P.K. Deo was a verbatim copy of the draft Bill proposed previously

by the Administrative Reform Commission. As the Bill involved certain financial

commitments, it was referred to the President for his recommendation and since it was

not forth coming, the member, P.K. Deo moved on 1" December, 1967 that the Bill be

circulated for the purpose of eliciting public opinion there on it. Speaking on the

motion, the Minister of State for Home Affairs declared that only ten States

Governments had sent their replies and some of them had not agreed with the scheme

of Lokayukta and Lokpal. Finally, the House voted the Bill for eliciting public
48

opinion. Various types of opinions were expressed on the Bill. The Government of

India did not want to postpone the introduction of this institution and without waiting

for a consensus from different States, the Government went ahead to bring forward

legislation for establishing the institution at the Centre. On 9`t' May, 1968 the

Government of India introduced the Lokpal and Lokyuktas Bill in the Lok Sabha. The

Bill provided for the establishment of a Lokpal and one or more Lokyuktas at the

Centre.4a

History of Lokpal Bill placed in Parliament Since 1968

In May 1968 the first Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill introduced in Lok Sabha.

The Bill was carefully studied by a joint committee of the two Houses of Parliament,

and the Bill, as reported by the joint committee was passed by the Lok Sabha in 1969.

While this Bill was pending in the Rajya Sabha, the Fourth Lok Sabha was dissolved

and the Bill was lapsed. In 1971, the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill which was passed by

the previous Lok Sabha was re-introduced in the Lok Sabha as the Lokpal and

Lokayukta Bill. 1971. "This Bill lapsed on the dissolution of the fifth Lok Sabha. In

1977, another Lokpal Bill was introduced in the sixth Lok Sabha and after that it was

referred to ajoint committee of Parliament which submitted its report to Lok Sabha in

July 1978. When the Lokpal Bill, as reported by the joint committee, was under

consideration in the Lok Sabha, the Lok Sabha was prorogued and was subsequently

dissolved'" on 22nd August, 1979 as a result of dissolution of the sixth Lok Sabha the

Lokpal Bill lapsed. So the fate of the Lokpal Bill. 1977 was no better than that of the

previous Lokpal Bills. This was the third time in the history of Ombudsman

legislation in India that at the Centre the Bill was lapsed owing to the dissolution of

Lok Sabha. The lack of a persistent political will in the Government, absence of unity

and discipline within the parliamentary wing of the ruling Janta party and the
inclusion of Members of Parliament within the jurisdiction of the Lokpal are some of

the reasons due to which many of the members developed a cold feet towards the Bill,

all these may be regarded as some of the major reasons which most probably

presented the passing of the Bill.;`'

In 1984 when Rajeev Gandhi became the Prime Minister there was again

renewed interest in the Ombudsman institution at the federal level. It appeared that the

Government had a strong-mind to root out corruption. As a result on 26`x' August,

1985 the Lokpal Bill 1985 was introduced in the Lok Sabha for the appointment of a

Lokpal. which will enquire into allegations of corruption against Union Ministers and

on matters connected with them. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Union

Law Minister A.K. Sen. The Bill had been the matter of a controversy ever since the

Government circulated a draft among leaders of opposition parties, due to the sharp

disagreement between the Government and the opposition on major provisions of the

Bill, the Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar announced the decision to refer this Bill

for a consideration to a joint select committee of the two Houses, he said that he had

come to the conclusion that a more comprehensive study of the Bill is needed. This

was the fourth time that Parliament had attempted to introduce Lokpal legislation and

ended up referring the Bill to a joint select committee. The Bill failed to satisfy the

opposition because it excluded the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister and Members

of Parliament from its jurisdiction. The opposition parties were also differed on the

node of appointment of the Lokpal and on its composition that whether it should be a

single member or multi-member body. Besides, this they found no merit in setting up

such a body only to look into complaints against Union Ministers. The Government

did not agree to include the Prime Minister on the plea that his office was a unique

and if any allegation against him was made it would destabilize the country. During
50

its forty months of existence at the committee level because of the lack of agreement

the matter could not advance further and finally in the first week of December 1988

the Bill was withdrawn by the Government. On 29`" December 1989, the Lokpal

Bill. 1989 was introduced in the Ninth Lok Sabha, but again the institution of the

Ombudsman could not be ushered at the Centre as the National Front Government

had to move out of office soon. With the dissolution of the ninth Lok Sabha this Bill

was also lapsed. With the aim of cleansing public life and introducing an clement of

accountability at the highest level, the United Front Government introduced the

Lokpal Bill in the Eleventh Lok Sabha.'' On 13`" September 1996, the Lokpal Bill,

1996 was introduced, than the Bill was referred to the parliamentary standing

committee on Home Affair by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. On 9`" May 1997, the

standing committee presented its report to the Parliament, but before the Government

could finally decide its stand on the recommendation of the committee, the eleventh

Lok Sabha was dissolved48 on 4`" December 1997, and as a result the Bill was lapsed.

On 3"d August 1998. the Bhartiya Janta Party led coalition Government introduced the

Lokpal Bill. 1998.4 Thereafter for detailed examination and report the Bill was

referred to the department related parliamentary standing committee on Home Affairs.

On 25`h February 1999, the standing committee presented its report to the Parliament

-n this Bill. However, before the Government could take a view on the various

-commendations made by the parliamentary standing committee, the twelfth Lok

abha was dissolved and as a result the Bill was lapsed.50Again new Lokpal Bill was

itroduced in the Lok Sabha in August. 2001 after it got approval from the Cabinet.

, ut the Bill was lapsed due to dissolution of Lok Sabha. In 2005 the Second

Ldministrative Reform Commission" had recommended that the office of the Lokpal

'ust be established without any delay. After the agitation of Anna Ilazare for the
51

establishment of Lokpal and Lokavukta. the Government constituted joint drafting

committee in April 2011 to draft the Lokpal Bill. The committee comprises of

Government representatives and nominees of Hazare to draft the Lokpal Bill by 30'h

June. 201 1.52 However the two groups could not agree on many major points and

prepared two drafts of the Bill. On 4thAugust 2011, the Government introduced its

version of the Bill in Parliament." It has been referred to a parliamentary standing

committee. In December Lokpal and LokaNukta Bill, 2011 is introduced in Lok Sabha

and on 27'h December 2011 it was passed in the Lok Sabha. On 29`" December 2011,

the Bill was discussed in Rajya Sabha and it had been deferred to the next

Parliamentary session.

Since 1968 till today nine attempts have been made to establish the Lokpal at

the Centre but unfortunately we are still struggling to establish it. So far the institution

of Lokpal at the national level is the %ictim of dissolution, defeat, delay and deferment

which adversely affected its establishment.54 Each time. after the Bill was introduced

to the House, it was referred to committee like a joint committee of Parliament or a

departmental standing committee of the Home Ministry for improvements and before

the Government could take a final stand on the issue of Lokpal, the House was

dissolved. This shows that probably the Bill was never taken seriously by the ruling

parts and it never gave it the priority which it deserved."

Analysis of the important provision of Lokpal Bills

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 1968

According to the provision of the Lokpal Bill the Lokpal was to be appointed

by the President of India in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and leader of

opposition in the House of the people or if there is no such leader a person elected in

this behalf by the member of the opposition in that I louse in such manner as the
52

Speaker may direct. And the Lokayukta is appointed by the President of India after

the consultation of the Lokpal.5`' Lokpal and Lokyakuta shall hold office for a term of

five years.57Lokpal and Lokyakuta can deal with both types of complaints related to

allegation and grievance against those which comes under their jurisdiction. The Bill

contemplated Ombudsman at two levels of the Central administration in India. At one

level the Lokpal investigate action taken by or with the general or specific approval of

a Minister or a Secretary or any other public servant of a class or a subclass of public

servants, notified by the Central Government in consultation with the Lokpal in this

behalf.At the second level the Lokyakuta was to investigate any action taken by or

with the general or specific approval of any public servant. The public servant in this

case could be anyone other than the Minister. Secretary or other public servant whose

action could be investigated into by the Lokpal.`'" The Lokpal or the Lokyakuta could

start inquiry on their own.6' The Lokpal or a Lokyakuta shall not investigate a

complaint involving a grievance, if the complaint is made after the expiry of twelve

months and shall not investigate complaint related to allegation, if the complaint is

made after the expiry of five years, from the date on which the action complained

against becomes known to the complainant.''

I'he 1ii11 tried to give effect to the recommendation of the Administrative

Reform Commission in so far as they relate to matters within the purview of the

Union Government. In its scope, it is different from the draft Bill proposed by the

Administrative Reform Commission on two things. First its jurisdiction does not

extend to public servants in the States. Secondly, jurisdiction of the Lokpal does not

confine to Ministers and Secretaries alone. The I.okpal and Lokayukta Bill seeks to

provide a statutory machinery to enquire into complaints based on actions of All

Union Public Servants, including Ministers.G3 The Lokpal and Lokayukta Bil'
53

confined itself only to the Central administration along with the Union Territories,

and left the States completely out of its purview. The Administrative Reform

Commission had recommended one comprehensive scheme covering both the Central

and State administration.`" But Government Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill made an

integrated scheme which provides functioning of both Lokpal and the Lokayukta at

the Centre and left the States.65 The change was made possibly because of the

changed political condition of the country. After the fourth general election (1967),

non-Congress Government came to the power in many States and some of them had

opposed the idea of central functionary supervising into administrative affairs of the

State."

The Lokpal and Loka%ukta Bill 1971

The Administrative Reform Commission in its final report in 1970 again, put

emphasis on the importance and the need for setting up the offices of the Lokpal and

the Lokayukta. The Government accepted the suggestions and the Lokpal and

Lokavukta Bill 1968. as passed by the previous Lok Sabha was reintroduced in the

fifth Lok Sabha in August 1971, with a similar title i.e. Lokpal and Lokyakuta Bill,

1971. 'l'his Bill differs from the draft Bill proposed by the Administrative Reform

Commission in two major respects. It does not extend to the public servants in the

States. Secondly, jurisdiction of the Lokpal does not confine to Ministers and

Secretaries alone. In other words, the Bill seeks to provide a statutory machinery to

inquire into complaints based on actions of all Union Public Servants including

Ministers.67

The Lokpal Bill 1977

The Lokpal Bill, 1977 is different from the previous Lokpal Bills. It was

proposed to alter the scheme of the Lokpal as incorporated in the 1971 Lokpal Bill. It
54

tried to make the institution of Lokpal an effective instrument to combat the problem

posed by corruption at higher political levels.6" Earlier Bill deals with both type of

complaints related to allegation and grievances. But in this emphasis is completely

shifted on the corruption. Under this Bill, the I.okpal is appointed by the President

after the consultation of the Chief Justice of India, the chairman of the Council of

States and the Speaker of the I louse of the People.G9 In this Bill a change was

introduced in the selection process of Lokpal. In this Lokpal Bill of 1977 the

provision relating to consultation with the leader of the opposition was dropped and

instead consultation with the chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of the Lok

Sabha was added.70 In earlier Bill there was a provision related to the appointment of

Lokpal and Lokayukta. But this Bill has only Lokpal. Lokpal is appointed for a term

of five years.'' The jurisdiction of Lokpal will cover complaints related to the

allegation or misconduct pertaining to a period not exceeding five years prior to the

date of complaints. Prime Minister, Minister, Member of the Parliament and Chief

Ministers of' States were brought within the jurisdiction of the Lokpal. Allegation

against civil servants will not come within the jurisdiction of the Lokpal and

grievances as different from allegations of misconduct will be excluded from its

jurisdiction.'` In the draft Bill of 1966 and the Government Bill of 1968 and 1971, the

public servant and Secretaries to the Government were included within the

jurisdiction of Iokpal. It was only in 1977 Lokpal Bill that they were dropped from

the jurisdiction of the Lokpal. The reason which was given for this exclusion was that

there were already a number of agencies to look into misdeeds of officials and

bringing officials with in the Lokpals jurisdiction, would increase the work load on

Lokpal. This step was much criticized both inside and outside the Parliament.73

Whereas the Bill excluded civil servants from its jurisdiction but it included the
7~ g0o6. 55

Member of Parliament within its jurisdiction.74 Lokpal Bill of 1977 also provided for

the appointment of one or more special Lokpals. If the President is satisfied on a

report from the Lokpal that it is necessary so to do for the expeditious disposal of

complaints under this Act, he may, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India,

the chairman of the Council of States and the Speaker of the House of the People,

appoint, by warrant under his hand and seal, one or more persons to be a Special

Lokpal or Special Lokpals for exercising jurisdiction in relation to such complaints or

such classes of complaints under this Act as may be specified in the warrant. A

Special Lokpal could be appointed liar it term of five years or even for a shorter period

as may be specified in the warrant of his appointment.' The Lokpal Bill of 1977 was

designed to look into political corruption only. In this sense the Bill may be termed as

a typical product of the outcome of emergency in India.

The Lokpal Bill 1985

The President shall, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India appoint

a person who is or has been qualified to be a Judge of the Supreme Court as the

Lokpal." In previous Lokpal Bills, no qualification was prescribed for the Lokpal.

Lokpal shall hold office tier it term of five years.`' Unlike the 1977 Bill, the new Bill

excluded from its jurisdiction the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament. It was

applicable only to a small group of public functionaries such as Ministers, Minister of

State, Deputy Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries of the Union.79 The jurisdiction

of the Lokpal was limited to complaints against an offence which is punishable under

chapter IX of the Indian Penal Code or under the Prevention of Corruption Act,

1947."" The Lokpal should not inquire into any complaint if the complaint is made

after the expiry of five years from the date on which the offence mentioned in

complaint is alleged to have been committed.8'


56

The Lokpal Bill 1989

It is provided in the Lokpal Bill that, the Lokpal should be multi-member

body, have one chairman and two members. The President shall after consultation

with the Chief Justice of India, appoint persons who are or have been Judges of the

Supreme Court as the chairman and members of the Lokpal.82 Every member shall

hold office for a term of five years.83 Like the two previous Lokpal Bills of 1977 and

1985, this Bill too did not cover public servants nor did it have any provisions to

redress the citizen's grievances. It only deals with the problem of corruption at higher

political levels. It was proposed that the Lokpal shall inquire into an allegations made

in a complaint against public functionary and the definition of public functionary

include a person who held or had held the office of Prime Minister, Deputy Prime

Minister, Minister, Minister of State or Deputy Minister of the Union.R4 The Lokpal

shall not inquire into any complaint if the complaint is made after the expiry of five

years.85 The Bill did not differ significantly from the Lokpal Bill of 1985 in other

respects.

Lokpal Bill, 1996

The Lokpal office should have one chairperson and two members. It's

chairperson and members should be appointed by the President on the

recommendation of a committee consisting of Prime Minister who acts as a chairman

of the committee, and its members were Speaker of Lok Sabha, Deputy chairman of

Rajya Sabha, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, leader of opposition in Rajya

Sabha, Minister in charge of the Ministry of I lomc Affairs and Minister in charge of

the Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances and Pensions.87 The Lokpal may

inquire into complaint alleging that public functionary has committed an offence

punishable under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Prime Minister, Minister,


57

Minister of State or Deputy Minister of Union, Member of either House of a

Parliament comes under its jurisdiction."R The Lokpal shall not inquire if the

complaint is more than five year old.89 Chairperson and member of the institution of

Lokpal shall hold office for a term of five years.90

Lokpal Bill, 1998

The institution of Lokpal consist of a chairperson and two members all of

them are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee which

consists of the Vice-President of India, who acts as a chairman of the committee and

the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of people, the Minister in charge of the

Nlinistr\ of Home Affairs in the Government of India, the leader of the House other

than the House in which the Prime Minister is a Member of Parliament, the leader of

opposition in the House of the people are its members. The Lokpal make inquiry into

complaints alleging that a public functionary has committed an offence which is

punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Here the word, public

functionary include, Prime Minister, Ministers, Minister of State, Deputy Ministers

and Members of Parliament.9 ' The Lokpal could look into matters which were only

ten year old.92 While in all previous Bills the time limit was five years. In this Lokpal

is appointed for a period of three years or until he or she becomes seventy years old,93

in previous Lokpal Bills. Lokpal was appointed for a period of five years.

Lokpal Bill 2001

Institution of Lokpal consists of a chairperson and two members. Its

chairperson and members shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation

of a selection committee which consist of the Vice-President of India, the Prime

Minister, the Speaker of the House of people, the Minister in charge of the Ministry of

Home Affairs in the Government of India, the leader of the 1-louse other than the
58

House in which the Prime Minister is a Member of Parliament, the leader of

opposition in the House of the people, the leader of the opposition in the Council of

States. Vice-President of India acts as chairman of the committee. The chairperson

and other member of the institution of Lokpal shall hold office for a term of three

years or until the age of seventy years whichever is earlier.94 Composition of a

selection committee is similar to the Bill of 1998, only the leader of the opposition in

the Council of States was added as a member of selection committee.`'-' The Lokpal

make an inquiry into complaints alleging that a public functionary has committed an

offence which is punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. It had

jurisdiction over Prime Minister, Minister, Minister of State or Deputy Minister of the

Union and Members of Parliament.96

Lokpal and Lokayukta 2011

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 2011 provided for the establishment of a

Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for States to inquire into allegations of

corruption against public functionaries. The institution of Lokpal consists of a

chairperson and such number of members, which should not exceed eight out of

whom fifty percent, shall be judicial members. It is given that not less than fifty

percent of the members of the Lokpal body shall be from the persons belonging to the

scheduled castes, the scheduled tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women.

Chairperson should be a person who is or has been a Chief Justice of India or is or has

been a Judge of the Supreme Court or an eminent person who is a person of

impeccable integrity and outstanding ability and have a special knowledge and

expertise of not less than twenty five years in the matters relating to anti-corruption

policy, public administration, vigilance, finance including insurance and Banking law

and management. A person shall be eligible to be appointed as a judicial member if he


59

is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or a Chief Justice of a High Court.97 The

chairperson and members shall be appointed by the President on the recommendations

of a selection committee which consists of the Prime Minister as a chairman and the

Speaker of the House of the People. the leader of opposition in the House of the

People, the Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by him

are its members.98 The chairperson and every member of Lokpal body shall be

appointed for the term of five years or until he attains the age of seventy years,

whichever is earlier.99 It had a jurisdiction over Prime Minister, Minister, Member of

Parliament, Group A, B. C and D officers and officials of Central Government. The

Bill excludes public servants who are covered under the Army Act, 1950, the Air

Force Act. 1950, the Navy Act, 1957 and the Coast Guard, 1978. Lokpal shall not

enquire into matter against Prime Minister if allegation of corruption is related to

international relations, external and internal security, public order, atomic energy and

space unless a full bench of the Lokpal consisting of its chairman and all members

considers the initiation of inquiry and at least two third of its members approve such

inquiry.100

Lokavukta

The Bill, once passed, shall be applicable to States if they give consent to its

application. Lokayukta in the States is appointed on the advice of Chief Minister,

Speaker, and leader of opposition in the State Legislature, Chief Justice or the Judge

of High Court and an eminent jurist nominated by the Governor.101 The Lokayukta

shall not inquire or investigate into any complaint, if the complaint is more than seven

years old.1°2 Chief Minister, Ministers, Members of Legislatures, officers and

employees of State Government comes under its jurisdiction. 103


60

Out of nine Bills of Lokpal and Lokayukta which were introduced in

Parliament, seven Bills were lapsed, one is withdrawn and one is still pending in the

Rajya Sabha. The provision related to the Lokpal went on changing from one Bill to

another Bill. According to the Bills of 1968, 1971 Lokpal and Lokayukta can deals

with the complaints related to allegation and grievances against public servants,

Ministers and Secretaries. Later Bills dropped redress of public grievances and mainly

concerned with corruption and one more shift is that it includes, Member of

Parliament and Member of Legislative Assembly of Union Territories within ambit of

Lokpal.104 But public servants were excluded from the jurisdiction of many Lokpal

Bills. So there is total confusion in the mind of every Government about the

jurisdiction of the Lokpal and Lokayukta. [he absence of the Lokpal at the federal

level to deal with the matters of allegations and grievances concerning politicians and

public servants is genuinely felt in the country. The Lokpat should be given power to

deal with both types of complaints related to grievances and allegation against civil

servants and politicians. All the vigilance and grievance redress agencies working at

the federal level should be put under the unified command of the Lokpal to ensure

independence, objectivity and better coordination. The Lokpal and the Lokayuktas

should have a constitutional status.

Lokayukta in Indian States

In India various Lokpal Bills were lapsed at the Central level, but many States

impressed by the recommendation of the Administrative Reform Commission of 1966

and Lokpal proposals, enacted legislation for establishing the office of the Lokayukta

and Upalokayukta in their States."' So far institution of the Lokayuktas have been

adopted in States such as Orissa, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh,

Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka. Assam, Gujarat,


61

Punjab. Delhi, Kerala, Chattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand. The process to set up

Lokayukta in Goa and Uttarakhand is under process. Following is the brief account

of emergence of Lokayukta in States.

Orissa

Orissa was the first State to enact Lokpal and Lokayukta Act in 1970, but it

remained inoperative till November 1983. In 1983 Justice B.K Patra was sworn as the

first Lokpal of Orissa. he was a retired Judge of the Orissa High Court. " In 1983 the

Lokpal and Lokayukta Act was amended with a view to include the Chief Minister in

Lokpal jurisdiction.'07 In Orissa, as per the Act, Lokpal is the head of the institute to

curb corruption, maladministration and nepotism, and Lokayukta is the second one

after the Lokpal. Thus there are two persons in the office of the Lokpal. But

unfortunately Orissa abolished the institution in 1993. However, the State has revived

this institution in 1995 and once again it becomes operative.

Maharashtra

In Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Act was passed in 1971 and

came into force in December 1971. Maharashtra is the second State that passed the

Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Act, but first State which had established the institution

of Lokpal and Lokayukta. On 25`h October, 1972 Justice S.P Kotval was appointed as

the first Lokayukta of Maharashtra and on 1" October, 1973 Uplokayukta was

appointed.108 At that time both public and Minister were in favor for the establishment

of the Lokayukta.109 The Lokpal Bill, 1968, also gave a boost to the idea of Lokaykta

in Maharashtra. The Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Act was drafted on

the bases of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 1968.10


62

Rajasthan

After Maharashtra. in 1973 Rajasthan established the office of the Lokayukta.

In Rajasthan the first step to establish an independent office on the pattern of

Ombudsman was taken in 1963. In that year the Rajasthan Administrative Reform

Committee was set up under the chairmanship of H.0 Mathur recommended the

establishment of a statutory institution similar to that of Ombudsman. 1 1 1 This was the

first Government report in India which had recommended the setting up of the

institution of Ombudsman. But after that nothing was done at the State level for some

time. In Rajasthan a separate machinery, called the Department of Removal of Public

Grievances had existed to resolve the grievances of the public, but this machinery did

not cover Ministers and executives drawn from public life to head the public

corporations, local bodies and other autonomous institutions. Therefore the

Government of Rajasthan felt the requirement of establishing an independent and

impartial agency to look into and investigate complaints against Ministers,

Secretaries, and certain other public servants related to abuse of position, corruption,

etc. This type of machinery is required to create a sense of confidence and satisfaction

in the public mind and to provide a clean, honest and competent administration.112 In

1969 the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 1968 was passed by the Lok Sabha. After that in

March 1969, the ('hid f Minister of Rajasthan M.I_ Sukhadian stated in the Vidhan

Sabha that the Government would favorably consider the question of appointing the

Lokayukta at the State level.'1 '' The establishment of the Lokayukta of'tice in

Maharashtra might also have provided motivation. But the circumstance which had

promoted the Chief Minister to declare intention of the State Governments to establish

the office of the Lokayukta to investigate into corruption charges was outcome of a

meeting of the Congressmen in which some of the Ministers of the Barkatullah Khan
63

Ministry were openly charged of being corrupt. The Chief Minister was upset by the

charges of corruption which were made by the party workers in the presence of some

of the Central Ministers and due to this incidence he immediately declare the

establishment of the Lokayukta office in the State to make inquiry into the charges of

corruption. In the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha demand was also raised by the leader of

the opposition for the establishment of the Lokayukta institution at the State level.114

On 24 January, 1973 the Lokayukta and Cpalokayukta institution was established in

Rajasthan through the promulgation of Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Ordinance. With

the minor modifications the same Ordinance was passed by the State Legislative

Assembly and became the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Act, 1973. On 5`h June, 1973,

K.P.0 Menon was appointed as an Uplokayukta, on 28`h August, 1973 Justice I.D

Dua. was appointed as Lokayukta. Before his appointment as Uplokayukta K.P.0

Menon had been serving the State Government as the Vigilance Commissioner. He

was appointed for a term of six years. According to the scheme of Lokayukta, the

Vigilance Commission was to be wound up after the establishment of the Lokayukta

and Upalokayukta institution. So according to the terms of contract Menon still had

two more years of service left it was thought that he should be appointed as an

Uplokayukta.1 1 ' It is clearly mentioned in the Act, that the first Uplokayukta would be

the person holding the office of Vigilance Commissioner immediately before the

promulgation of the Ordinance.116

Bihar

In the State of Bihar. on 23'' July, 1967, for the first time the United Front

Government tried to put forward a proposal relating to the establishment of the

Ombudsman institution by introducing the Lokayukta Bill in Legislative Assembly.

But actually no serious effort was made to pass it. The Bill however could not be
enacted. During 1967 to 1971 the State had to pass through a number of Commissions

—the Aivar Commission, the Mudholkar Commission, the Patnaik Commission and

the Dutta Commission, regarding investigations which were related to political and

administrative corruption. But not much seems to have been gained out of these

efforts. So the need was felt, for an independent, impartial, non-political investigating

agency like that of the office of the Ombudsman. In 1972 Congress Government

declared its aim of establishing the institution of Lokayukta in Bihar, it may be

influenced by the fact that, the Bill concerning the establishment of the Lokpal and the

Lokay uktas at the Central level had twice been unsuccessfully introduced in the Lok

Sabha, but the plan had been successfully implemented in the State of Maharashtra in

1972.11 The Provision for the establishment and laying down the function of the

Lokayukta was made by the promulgation of Bihar Lokayukta Ordinance, 1973. No

action was taken in pursuance of this Ordinance. On 8`" April, 1973 the Ordinance

lapsed. On 6`h May, 1973 the Governor signed the ordinance and the same was

published in the Bihar Gazette on 11 `h May, 1973. "8 "I'he office of the Lokayukta was

established in Bihar in order to curb corruption at higher levels of administration on

the lines suggested by the Administrative Reform Commission.'1 `' In the exercise of

the purported power under the provisions of the second Ordinance the Governor of

Bihar appointed S.V. Sohoni. as the first Lokayukta of Bihar. On 28`h May, 1973 the

Lokayukta assumed office. After the assumption of office by Sohoni a conflict started

between the Governor and some important members of the State Cabinet. According

to the Ministers the right of the Cabinet had arbitrarily been encroached upon by the

Governor by individually appointing the Lokayukta. According to them only Cabinet

was constitutionally competent to appoint the Lokayukta,120 at the time of the

controversy the Pandey Government went out of office. Many members of the
65

outgoing Ministry who had made an effort to nullify the appointment of Sohoni again

become Ministers in the new Cabinet of Abdul Ghafoor. Under the new dispension, it

appeared in the minds of many that the first thing that they (lid was to keep the office

of the Lokayukta starved of funds and other basic things. The main intention was to

humiliate Sohoni to such an extent that he might resign from the post of Lokayukta, 12 '

but this did not work. Ultimately, however, armed with the Advocate General opinion

upholding the right of the Cabinet to fill the post, the Ministers succeeded in having

their say in the matter. The Ordinance instead of being regularized during the Budget

Session or re-promulgated after the Assembly adjourned was allowed to lapse on 22'

August, 1973, just two days before the end of the Budget Session of the State

Assembly. Upset by the attitude of the Government, the Lokayukta pressed his point

against the Advocate General opinion before the Union Ministry of I Iomc affairs. The

stand adopted by him was that a Lokayukta appointed by the Cabinet would not be

able to look bravely and neutrally into public complaints of corruption or misuse of

power against the serving or former Ministers. The Union Home Ministry, instructed

the Ghafoor Government to issue a fresh ordinance in order to avoid a break in the

career of the Lokayukta.'22 On 5`h October 1973 a third ordinance appointing Sohoni

as the Lokayukta was signed by the Governor and published in the Bihar Gazette on

8`}' October 1973. In the meanwhile, the Bihar Lokayukta Bill, 1973 was in its process

of legislation making was passed by the two Houses of the Legislature, on 16`''

January 1974 it received the assent of the President and came to be known as the

Bihar Lokavukta Act, 1973.12

Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Act was passed in 1975.124

But in July 1977 it came into force.125 There was a long gap between the passing of
the Act and its proper and actual implementation. The Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta Act

was based on the Central Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill 1971, but it made a major

departure from that Bill mainly in two respects. One the members of the Parliament

were excluded from the jurisdiction of the Lokpal Bill 1971, but in Uttar Pradesh

Lokayukta Act legislators were included in its jurisdiction and fee of rupees thousand

is charged for filing any complaint concerning allegations to the Lokayukta. The

inclusion of the new provision could be due to the fact that the Lokayukta Act of Uttar

Pradesh had replaced the Uttar Pradesh Public Men Enquiries Act, 1967.126 According

to newspaper report, because of the difference, the Center was hesitant in clearing the

Bill and the Home Ministry was examining the pros and cons of Uttar Pradesh

decision.'27 One more reason behind the delay of the establishment of the Lokayukta

office was that, in the period of the emergency which is from June 1975 to January

1977 the leader of the opposition in Uttar Pradesh Assembly was in jail along with

other opposition leaders, so the statutory formality of consulting the leader of the

opposition in the appointment of the Lokayukta was not possible. While participating

in the debate of the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister himself had pointed out

that the delay in the appointment of the Lokayukta was also because of the non-

availability of the leader of the opposition for consultation, as he was in jail.'28 Finally

the change of leadership in the ruling Uttar Pradesh Congress legislature party might

also have delayed the implementation of the Act. In 1977 Janta Party came into

power and made a promise to eliminate graft from the administration, as a result of its

efforts the Act came out into operation. The Lokayukta Act of Uttar Pradesh is

relatively a carbon copy of Maharashtra and Bihar Lokayukta Act. 129 On 14'

September 1977, Justice Bishamber Dayal. who was an ex-Chief Justice of Madhya

Pradesh 1-ligh Court, was appointed as a Lokayukta. The first Lokayukta made
67

excellent efforts for almost two years to make people aware about the institution of

Lokayukta. This was done through the radio programs, organizing meetings in the

district headquarters in which people from all fields were invited and by publishing

advertisements in newspapers explaining the powers and functions of the Lokayukta

and by calling press conferences in which the Lokayukta explained the functions,

scope and objective of this institution.130 Justice Murtaza Hussain, was the second

Lokayukta, he had started the practice of providing relief to the complainant by

expediting those cases also which were made on plain papers and were outside his

jurisdiction. He used to send officials from Lokayukta organization to expedite such

complaints to district headquarters. In 1979 Government sanctioned the creation of an

independent investigation cell. But in spite of all these efforts, Justice Murtaza

Husain, admitted that this organization has not been able to fulfill the expectations of

the common people. 131

Madhya Pradesh

The Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Bill, 1974 was passed by Legislative

Assembly in April 1975 and was forwarded to the President. After that the

Legislative Assembly was dissolved and as a result of this the Lokayukta and

Upalokayukta Bill was lapsed. The Bill of Lokayukta was again introduced in

September 1980 and came into force on 16`" September 1981.132 On 15`x' February

1982, Justice P.V Dixit, was appointed as the first Lokayukta of Madhya Pradesh, he

was the retired Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court. On 17`x' February 1982,

Justice R..1 Rhave. was appointed as Uplokayukta he was a retired Judge of the High

Court. With the establishment of the Lokayukta office in Madhya Pradesh, the

Vigilance Commission, ceased to exist and the cases which were pending with

Vigilance Commission were transferred to the Lokayukta office.133


C3

Andhra Pradesh

In October 1982 Government of Andhra Pradesh passed the Lokayukta and


th
Uplokayukta Bill which after getting the assent of the President of India on 25
1 th
August 1983 become an Act. On 1' November 1983 it came into force and on 15

November 1983 the Justice Avula Sambasiva Rao who was a retired Chief Justice of

Andhra Pradesh High Court was appointed as the first Lokayukta of Andhra

Pradesh.'34

Himachal Pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta and Uplokayukta Bill, was introduced in

1975, but it was lapsed. Again in April 1980 it was introduced and in March 1982 it

was discussed and finally passed in August 1983.13' The Lokayukta in Himachal

Pradesh was first established by an ordinance which was promulgated on 25`h May

1983. On 17`h August 1983 Justice I'.V.R "I'atachari was appointed as first Lokayukta

of Himachal Pradesh.'`'

Assam

On 12`h December 1986 the Assam Lokayukta and Uplokayukta Act, 1985

was passed. In 1989. the State Government had appointed Justice T.0 Das as the first

Lokayukta of Assam."? In April 2010 Justice Biswas, took over the office of

Lokavvukta. He admitted that institution of Lokayukta in Assam has not been able to

deliver to its expectations due to the absence of suornoto power. He said, We have

been trying to communicate to people that they just have to approach us. All they

have to do is to lodge a complaint. If they have no evidence and we think that the

complaint is in public interest, we'll ask for relevant documents from the Government

department concerned." According to him Lokayukta office is receiving complaints,

but not against any higher officials, like Member of Legislative Assembly or
Ministers. this office has also taken up a few cases to Assam Governor, as the state

Government could not implement the recommendations.138

Karnataka

On 28`h March 1983, the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Bill was introduced in

the Legislative Assembly. It was passed in both the houses and enacted on 16`h

January 1986. Karnataka Lokayukta is more independent than other states. It has its

own investigating machinery.'39 There are two factors that seem to be working in

favor of the Lokayukta one is active police wing and the number of complaints are

filed in special court, set up to hear the cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act,

1988. Lokayukta in Karnataka have both suomoto power and a power to issue search

warrant, which help the Lokayukta in working effectively. Former Chief Minister B.S

Yeddyuappa, his Cabinet colleagues Katta Subrahmany Naidu and Krishna settee, the

Bellary mine lord Janardhana Reddy all had to bow to the power of the Lokayukta. A

number of Karnataka Government cadre officers were booked for amassing wealth

disproportionate to their income, while hundreds of them were caught accepting

bribes. Between 2008 and 2011, thirteen Ministers were being probed by the

Lokayukta. 140

Gujarat

In 1974 Gujarat Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Bill was introduced in the

Legislative Assembly, but could not be passed.'4 ' In 1986 Gujarat Lokayukta Act was

passed.'42 In 1988 Justice D.H. Shukla, a retired High Court Judge was appointed as

the first Lokayukta with his appointment the institution had started functioning.'43

During the Keshubhafi Patel regime in 1998, Soni a retired High Court Judge was

appointed as the Lokayukta. In November, 2003 S.M. Soni, stepped down from the

post. After Soni no one was appointed as a Lokayukta for many years."4 In 2010 the
70

State Government informed the High Court that it has begun the exercise for filling up

the post.'45 On 25`" August 2011. Gujarat Governor Kamal Beniwal appointed Justice

R.A Mehta to the post of Lokayukta of Gujarat, which was lying vacant since 2003.146

The Governor Beniwal had made this decision without consulting and getting the

approval of the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers.147 The decision of the

Governor in the appointment of R.A Mehta was challenged in the Supreme Court by

the Gujarat Government. The Supreme Court upheld the appointment of Justice R.A

Mehta as State l.okayukta by saying that it was done in consultation with the Chief

Justice of the High Court.'48

Punjab

In 1992. during the tenure of Beant Singh, the Lokpal Bill was passed in

Punjab and Justice S.S. Sodhi was appointed as the first Lokpal of Punjab.'49 On 16

November 2012 Justice Jai Sekhon, a former Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High

Court was sworn in as the Lokayukta of Punjab. Justice Sekhon's appointment has

stirred a controversy with the opposition congress party contending that he has

political affiliation with the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal. Punjab Pradesh Congress

Committee chief captain (retired) Amarinder Singh charged the State Government

with violating prevailing norms by not consulting the leader of opposition on the issue

of selecting the Lokayukta.150

Kerala

On 41" March 1999 Kerala Lokayukta Bill received the assent of the President

and becomes an Act.'' The Act provides that all the public servants are required to

submit the statement of assets of them and their family members, once in two years,

before the competent authority.152 According to one report most of the Member of
71

Legislative Assembly did not submit property statements. This shows that there is no

fear on part of the Member of Legislative Assembly towards the Lokayukta.1 '3

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh Lok Aayog Adhyadesh 2002. An Ordinance was promulgated by

the Governor in the fifty third year of the republic of India-'54 According to

Chhattisgarh Lokayukta Justice L.0 Bhadu. anti-corruption agencies like Lokayukta

are not effective for want of adequate resources and personnel. The office of

Lokavukta has failed to live up to its expectations and achieve its objectives. He said

that according to the guidelines of the Lokayukta Act, action should be taken against

an errant officer within three months. But this does not happen often, as action is

taken by the officials of the concerned department only, but it has been found that the

department tries to shield the corrupt official rather than punish him.'5 The 2009-10

Annual Report. handed over to the Chief Minister, blames the State Government first

for patronizing corruption and then ignoring the recommendations of Lokayukta.'56

Jharkhand

Jharkhand Lokayukta Act was enacted in the year 2001. The office of

Jharkhand Lokayukta became functional on 4`h December, 2004, former Judge of

Jharkahnd High Court, Justice Laxman Oraon was appointed as the first Lokayukta of

Jharkhand. After his superannuation as Lokayukta in the year 2009, Justice

Amaresh-% ar Sahay. a former Judge of High Court of Jharkhand has been appointed as

Jharkhand Lokayukta.1 s '

Harr ana

On 6`' January, 2003 Haryana Lokayukta Bill 2002 received the assent of the

President of India.1 '8 Justice I.P Vashisht (retired) was appointed as a first Lokyukta

of I Iaryana.159 The Annual Report of the Haryana Lokayukta for the period of 2006 to
72

2007 tabled in the State Assembly was full with misgivings about the lack of

cooperation from the Government side. In the report it is given that even the letters

written by Lokavukta office to various officials fail to evoke any response, even

reminders also remain unacknowledged the only thing left is to summon the officials.

According to the report even in the cases where inquiry reports were submitted action

was not taken against the guilty person. All this clearly shows that someone in the

administration is defending them. In many cases departmental inquiries against public

servants were conducted by officials who are junior in rank to the erring officers and

the general public does not expect fair inquiry in such cases.'" Justice Pritam Pal has

taken over the office of Lokavukta on 1' January 2011. Justice Pritam Pal said that

Haryana Lokayukta Act, 2002 is toothless and there is need to amend it so that the

Loka}ukta has the power to punish the guilty officials and takes suomoto cognizance

of offences, committed by corrupt public servants. Pritam Pal said that he has decided

to visit every district of Haryana with the purpose of creating awareness among the

masses for raising their voice against corrupt public servant.161

Goa

The Goa I.oka-, ukta Act. 2011 . has been passed by the Legislative Assembly

of a Goa on i`'' October. 2011 and been given assent by the President of India162 on

12`h May, 2012. Notified in the official Gazette on 18`h May, 2012, the rules have to

be framed, appointments have to he made and the Act has to be brought into force.1G3

Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand passed a Lokayukta Bill on 1s` November. 2011. After giving

assent to the Lokayukta Bill, Governor Margaret Alva had sent the Bill to President

Pratibha Patil for final approval. The Lokayuta Bill has been put on hold by the new

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, he said that he would carry out certain amendments
73

in the Uttarakhand Lokpal Bill which was passed by the Legislative Assembly and

assented by the Govemor in 2011.164

Comparative analysis of important provision of Lokayukta Acts

This institution of Lokayukta came into existence on high moral grounds of

fighting the corruption and help in redressing the grievance of a common men in the

State. Lokayukta is a non-political functionary, with the highest judicial rank and are

independent, which make them capable to fight corruption. During the comparative

analysis of the Lokayukta Acts of Orissa, Maharashtra, Bihar; Rajasthan, Uttar

Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam,

Gujarat, Punjab, Kerala, Chattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand it is found that,

Ombudsman at the State level in India, have different names in some it is known as a

Lokayukta in some Lokpal. In Punjab and Orissa Ombudsman is known as a Lokpal.

In Chhattisgarh Ombudsman is known as Pramukh Lokayukta and in Chhattisgarh

and Orissa Deputy Ombudsman is known as Lokayukta, in other States Deputy

Ombudsman is known as lJpalokayukta. There is no uniformity in the name of

Ombudsman working at the State level. In majority of States Ombudsman is known as

the Lokayukta and Deputy Ombudsman is known as Upalokaykta. Lokayukta Act of

Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab do not have a

provision for the appointment of Upalokayukta they have only Lokayukta. While the

States like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya

Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, llttar Pradesh, have provision for the

appointment of both Lokayukta and Upalokayukta.

Appointment

In Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,

Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Orissa, the Governor has been empowered to make
74

the appointment of the Lokayukta with the consultation of the Chief Justice of the

High Court and the leader of the opposition in the Legislative Assembly of that State,

or if there is no such leader than Governor will consult a person selected in his behalf

by the members of the opposition in that house in such a manner as the Speaker may

direct. According to the Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta Act Governor appoints Lokayukta

after consulting the Chief Justice of the High Court. ' 6 In Assam in the appointment of

Lokayukta the Governor consult the Chief Justice of the High Court, Speaker and the

leader of the opposition in the State Legislative Assembly.'66 In Chhattisgarh in the

appointment of Lokayukta, the Governor consult the Chief Minister who shall consult

the Chief Justice of the High Court of the State and Speaker of the Legislative

Assembly. ' 6i In Karnataka, appointment of the Lokayukta is done by the Governor on

the advice of the Chief Minister, Chief Justice of the High Court of the State, the

chairman of State Legislative Council, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly,

leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly.161 In the

Act of Haryana it is given that while appointing Lokayukta Governor consult the

Chief Minister, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, leader of the opposition and

the Chief Justice of the India.'69 In Kerala at the time of appointment of the Lokayukta

Governor consult the Chief Minister. Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the

leader of the opposition in the Legislative Assenibly.17° In Punjab at the time of

appointment of the Lokayukta the Governor consult the Chief Minister, Speaker of the

Punjab Legislative Assembly and the Chief Justice of India.'7 '

In Assam. Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh. Upalokayukta (Deputy

Ombudsman) is appointed by the Governor after consultation with the Lokayukta

(Ombudsman). In Orissa Lokayukta (Deputy Ombudsman) is appointed by the

Governor after consultation with the Lokpal (Ombudsman).'72 In Andhra Pradesh,


75

Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, procedure of appointment of both Lokayukta, and

Upalokayukta are same. In Madhya Pradesh while appointing Upalokayukta Governor

consult the Lokayukta but if a sitting Judge of a High Court is appointed as

Upalokayukta than the Chief Justice of the High Court in which he is working shall be

consulted.t "The appointment of the Upalokayukta has been treated by the Lokayukta

Act of Rajasthan as obligatory and not optional.'4 No Upalokayukta was being

appointed in Rajasthan after the resignation of K.P.0 Menon who was the first

incumbent. In 1978, the Act was amended and removed the obligatory character of the

Upalokayukta appointment from the Lokayukta Act, °5

Qualification

In the Lokayukta Act of Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand and Rajasthan, no

specific qualification has been prescribed for the appointment of Lokayukta. On the

other hand the Lokayukta Act of Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,

Kerala. Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Haryana

and Punjab prescribe judicial qualification for the person who is appointed as a

Lokayukta or Upalokayukta but it varies from State to State. In Assam, Orissa and

Uttar Pradesh a person who is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or a High

Court is appointed as a Lokayukta, In Haryana and Madhya Pradesh a Judge of the

Supreme Court or a Chief Justice or a Judge of any High Court is appointed as a

Lokayukta. In Himachal Pradesh. Karnataka and Kerala Judge of the Supreme Court

or that of the Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed as a Lokayukta. In Gujarat

Judge of a High Court is appointed as a Lokayukta.t7b In Andhra Pradesh a Judge or a

retired Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed as a Lokayukta.'' In Chhattisgarh

Judge of a High Court or the person who has held a judicial office higher than that of

a Judge of a High Court is appointed as a Pramukh Lokayukta.11a In Punjab Judge of


76

the Supreme Court or Chief Justice or Judge of a High Court is appointed as a

Lokpal.17 ' So far as the qualification of the Uplokayukta is concerned, the Lokayukta

Acts of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Assam do not make any

prescription. But in Karnataka, Kerala. Orissa a Judge of High Court can only

become the Uplokayukta. In Andhra Pradesh district Judges of the grade I, are

appointed as an Upalokayukta.'8° In Chhattisgarh a person functioned at the level of a

Secretary to the Government of India or the Chief Secretary to any State Government

in India and having experience in administration and quasi-judicial matters is eligible

to be appointed as an Upalokayukta.18 ' In Madhya Pradesh Judge of any High Court

or who has held the office of the Secretary to the Government of India or has held any

other post under Central or a State Government carrying a pay scale which is not less

than that of an Additional Secretary to Government of India is appointed as an

Upalokayukta.'82

Tenure

Lokayukta and Uplokayukta are appointed for a fixed period which varies

from State to State. In the Lokayukta Acts of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand,

Chhattisgarh. Gujarat, Ilaryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka. Kerala, Orissa, and

Maharashtra it is given that the Lokayukta and the Upalokayukta are appointed for a

fixed tenure of five years. In Assam the tenure of Lokayukta is either five years or till

the attainment of the age of sixty eight years.'83 By an amendment in the Rajasthan

Act the tenure of the Lokayukta was reduced to three years. In Uttar Pradesh through

an amendment of the Lokayukta Act in January 1988 the term of I,okayukta was

raised to six years.' 4 In Punjab and Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta is appointed for a

term of six years.


-T -YOOb 77

Jurisdiction

Lokayukta have a power to investigate any action which is taken by or with

the general or specific approval of a Minister or Secretary or any other public servant

which comes under its jurisdiction. The Upalokayukta have a power to investigate

action which is taken by or with approval of officials other than a Minister or a

Secretary. There is a complete lack of uniformity in the Lokayukta Acts of States, on

the question of covering authorities, within the jurisdiction of the Lokayukta and

Upalokaykuta. The Chief Minister comes within the jurisdiction of Lokayukta in the

States of Orissa, Madhya Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat,

Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Kerala and Punjab. In other States Chief Minister is outside

the jurisdiction of the Lokayukta. In Lokayukta Acts of all States, Ministers are

covered in the jurisdiction of Lokayukta. The Legislators are covered in the

jurisdiction of Lokayukta in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh,

Assam. Haryana, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Chattisgarh. In Madhya Pradesh the

leader of the opposition of the Legislative Assembly comes under the jurisdiction of

the Lokavukta.'8' Most of the Lokayukta Acts include the authorities of local bodies,

corporations, Government companies, societies established and owned or controlled

by State Government.

Lokayukta of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,

Punjab. Rajasthan. Chattisgarh deals with complaints of allegations only. Lokayukta

of Assam, Bihar, Ilaryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh,

Jharkhand, deals with both type of complaints related to allegations and grievances.

The word allegation in relation to public servant means any affirmation that such

public servant.
78

(1) Has abused his position as such to obtain any gain or favor to himself or to any

other person or to cause undue harm or hardship to any other person.

(ii) Was actuated in the discharge of his functions as such public servant by

personal interest or improper or corrupt motive or

(iii) is guilty of corruption, or lack of integrity in his capacity as such public

servant.

The word Grievance means a claim by a person that he sustained

injustice or undue hardship in consequence of mal-administration. In all States

which are having both Lokayukta and Uplokayukta, Uplokayukta has been put

under the administrative control of the Lokayukta, although operationally the

latter cannot question the formers findings, conclusions or recommendations.

Outside jurisdiction

It is clearly stipulated in all the Lokayukta Acts that there are certain matters

which are not subject to investigation by the Lokayukta or Uplokayukta such as action

taken for the purpose of investigating a crime or protecting the security of State,

governing purely commercial relations of the administration, action taken in respect

of appointments, removal, pay. discipline, superannuation or other matters relating to

conditions of service, grant of honors and awards are excluded from its jurisdiction.

However actions relating to claims for pension, gratuity, provident fund or any claim

which arise on retirement, removal or termination of service are not excluded from the

jurisdiction of Lokayukta or Upalokayukta. If complainant has or had any remedy by

\,~av of appeal. revision, review etc.. before any tribunal or the court, such matter shall

also not to be investigated. Discretion, however, has been given to the Lokayukta.

Cases in respect of which a formal and public inquiry has been ordered under the

Public Servants Inquires Act, 1850 are not included. Matters which have been referred
79

for inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, with prior concurrence of the

Lokayukta or Uplokayukta shall also not be investigated. According to the Lokayukta

Act of Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Lokayukta shall not investigate any

complaint of grievance if the complaint is made after the expiry of a twelve months

from the date on which action complained against becomes known to the complainant.

In Karnataka Lokayukta shall not investigate any complaint of grievance if the

complaint is made after the expiry of a six months from the date on which action

complained against becomes known to the complainant.186 According to the

Lokavukta Acts of Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya

Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Lokayukta will not entertain

complaints of allegation if the complaint is made after the expiry of five years from

the date on which the action complained become known to the complainant. In

Andhra Pradesh Lokavukta will not entertain complaints of allegation if the complaint

is made after the expiry six years, from the date on which the action complained

become known to the complainant.'87In Himachal Pradesh, Lokayukta will not

entertain complaints of allegation if the complaint is made after the expiry ten years

from the date on which the action complained become known to the complainant.'88

Service Conditions

For ensuring independence and impartiality in the functioning certain

restrictions have been imposed on the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta, like it is clearly

mentioned in the Lokavukta Acts of all the States that the Lokayukta and

l: palokay'ukta cannot be Member of Parliament or of a State Legislature and cannot

hold any office of profit under the State Government nor they can carry on any kind

of business, if they are involved in any of these activities they should give resignation

then only they are eligible to be appointed as a Lokayukta and Upalokayukta, they
80

have also been debarred from political activities. After their retirement they have been

made ineligible to hold another office either falling under the State Government of

any other local authority, corporation, Government Company or society in their

respective States. Andhra Pradesh Act limits this ineligibility clause to five years for

further employment, either under the Government or any such local authority,

corporation, Government Company or society.1S' The Rajasthan Act puts additional

restriction on the retiring dignitaries by adding that they cannot take up any

employment either under the State Government or Central Government or any

employment under any local authority in any Union Territory, which is notified by the

Central Government in this behalf in the official Gazette, or any corporation (not

being a local authority) established by or under a Central Act and owned or controlled

by the Central Government or any Government Company. t9D It is clearly mention in

all the Lokayukta Acts that salary and service conditions of the Lokayukta and

Upalokayukta cannot be varied to the disadvantage of the incumbent after his

appointment.

Removal

The procedure prescribed for the removal of the Lokayukta and the

Upalokayukta is almost the same in all the Lokayukta Acts. It is provided in the

Lokayukta Acts that Lokayukta and Upalokayukta can be removed from the office in

the same manner as provided in the Constitution for the removal of Judges of the High

Court or Supreme Courts. They can be removed from their office only by Governor

on the ground of misbehavior or incapacity and no other ground. In Orissa the

Governor shall, before removing the Lokpal consult the Chief Justice of the High

Court of the State and the leader of the opposition and in the removal of the

Lokayukta, he shall consult the Lokpal.19 ' If either Lokayukta is by reason of absence
81

or any other reason is unable to perform duties of his office or the Lokayukta office

becomes vacant due to the retirement of the Lokayukta in such a case arrangement is

made under all the Lokayukta Acts, that in the absence of the Lokayukta, his duties

\vill be performed by the tJplokayukta or if there are two or more Uplokayuktas, than

Governor will decide who will take the responsibility of the Lokayukta. These

arrangements are only for a short period. All the Lokayukta Acts assume a situation in

which either the Lokayukta or an Uplokayukta would be there to take over the job of

either of the functionaries falling vacant. But none of the Lokayukta Acts imagine a

situation in which neither the Lokayukta nor an Upalokayukta may be in a position to

take over the job. This lacuna was removed in the Rajasthan Act through an

amendment in 1978. A provision has been made that if the office of a Lokayukta

becomes vacant, or if he is unable to perform the duties of his office and there is also

no Uplokayukta. then in such a situation Governor may ask the State Chief Justice to

nominate any High Court Judge to look after Lokayukta work in addition to his own

duties.'`'`

Provision Regarding Complaints

In the Lokayukta Acts of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Karnataka,

Kerala, Maharashtra. Orissa and Uttar Pradesh, it is given that in case of a grievance

only the person aggrieved has the right to move to the Lokayukta or Uplokayuta.

According to the Lokayukta Act of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand. Haryana, Maharashtra,

Orissa. Uttar Pradesh, in the case of an allegation any person can file a complaint to

the Lokayukta except public servant. Thus, public servant has been expressly

prohibited from seeking redress from the Lokayukta organization. But where person

aggrieved is dead or is for any reason unable to act for himself the complaint may be

made by any person who in law represents his State or is authorized by him in this
82

regard. In Chhattisgarh. Karnataka, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh any one can make a

complaint there is no restriction on any one which prevent him or her from filing a

complaint. The complaint has to he lodged on a prescribed form and to be

accompanied by an affidavit and fees as may be prescribed by rules under the Act.

The amount of fee and the requirement of such fee, vary in Lokayukta Acts of

different States. In Madhya Pradesh fee is twenty five rupees.19 In Chattisgarh fee is

two hundred fifty rupees,'94 in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab it is thousand

rupees. In Madhya Pradesh deposit of fee and affidavit are not necessary for filing a

complaint against public servant in relation to whom the Chief Minister is not the

competent authority.`'' In Orissa rupees fifty for grievance and two hundred fifty for

allegations is charged from the complainant.1116 Lokayukta Acts of Uttar Pradesh,

Madhya Pradesh. and Gujarat give power to the Lokavukta and Upalokayukta to

dispense with the requirement of fee in suitable cases. In Lokayukta Act of Haryana,

Kerala. Rajasthan. Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh. Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and

Jharkhand no fees is prescribed.

Most of the Lokayukta Acts provide that any letter written to the Lokayukta or

Uplokayukta by a person in police custody or in goal or in any asylum or places for

insane persons is to be forwarded to the addresses unopened and without any delay by

the authority in whose custody such person is. The barrier of making complaints in the

correct turn) and accompanied by the filing of the affidavit has, thus been ignored in

the case of above category of persons because of the peculiar situation they have been

placed in otherwise they may not be in a position to make complaints at all, but in

Uttar Pradesh and Assam no such action in respect of such complaint shall be taken

unless it is accompanied or subsequently supported by an affidavit. In Orissa, the

person who has written the letter to tile a complaint shall with in such reasonable
83

period, not being less than one month tile an affidavit failing which Lokpal may reject

the letter.

In States such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Gujarat, Orissa, Rajasthan

Lokayukta have suomoto power of starting investigation in respect of such action as

can be or could have been in the opinion of the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta, the

subject of a grievance or an allegation.

Procedure of investigation

All the Lokayukta Acts, provide that if Lokayukta or Upalokayukta, as the

case ma\ be. proposes to conduct investigation, after being satisfied and making

preliminary investigation. Lokayukta or Upalokayukta forwards a copy of the

complaint to the concerned officer and also to the concerned competent authority.

Lokayukta also gives an opportunity to the concerned public servant for offering his

clarifications on the action complained against. Proceeding before the Lokayukta or

Upalokayukta has to be conducted in private and the identity of the complainant or the

person complained against is not to be disclosed to the public or press at any stage of

investigation. The Lokayukta or an Upalokayukta has the discretion of conducting an

enquiry in public if the matter in his view is of definite public importance. He must,

however, specify the reasons in writing for holding an enquiry in public. All the

Lokayukta Acts grant discretion to the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta for refusing to


i
investigate any matter if the complaint found to be frivolous or vexatious and has not

been made in good faith. He may also refuse investigation into the matter complained

against if other suitable remedies are available to the complainant. In such cases the

Lokavukta or the U plokayukta is required to give his reasons for refusing to entertain

a complaint or for discontinuing an investigation and communicate the same to the

complainant and the concerned public servant.


T
Evidence

fro, All Lokayukta Acts confer power on the Lokayukta or the Upalokayukta to
require any public servant or any person who can furnish any information or produce

documents relevant in the investigation, to furnish such information or produce such

documents. The Lokayukta or Uplokayukta has the powers of civil court while trying

a suit under the Civil Procedure Code. In other words, he may summon and enforce

the attendance of any person and examine him an oath. He may require the discovery

and production of any document. He may receive evidence or affidavit. He can

requisition any public document or copy thereof from any court or office. He may

issue commissions for the examination of witnesses and docwnents. A proceeding

before the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta is deemed to be judicial proceeding within the

meaning of Section 193 of the Indian Penal Code. No person shall be compelled to

give any evidence or produce any document which he could not be compelled to give

or produce in proceeding before a court. The i.okayukta Acts of Karnataka, Gujarat,

Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Punjab have the provision which give power to

the Lokawkta to issue search warrant for the purpose of search and seizure of any

property document or thing that will be necessary or useful for or relevant to any

enquiry or other proceedings to be conducted by Lokayukta. This power is not

available to the Lokayukta or Uplokayukta in other States.

Reports and Recommendation

In all the Lokayukta Acts it is given that if after investigation, the Lokayukta

or Upalokayukta comes to the conclusion that charges are established, he shall by a

report in writing recommend to the competent authority to remedy or redress the

injustice or undue hardship occurred to the complainant or any other person in such a

manner and within such time as may be specified in the report. The competent
85

authority within one month of the expiry of the period, shall intimate the action taken

on the report. In case of an allegation, the l.okayukta or the Upalokayukta shall

forward its report along with documents to the competent authority, who in turn shall

intimate or cause to be intimated the action taken or proposed to be taken within three

months of the date of receipt of the report. If the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta is

satisfied with the action taken, he shall close the case under intimation to the

complainant, the public servant and the competent authority. If not satisfied, he may

make a special report upon the case to the Governor and also inform the complainant

and the competent authority. Annual Consolidated Report shall be presented to the

Governor, who shall cause a copy thereof together with an explanatory memorandum

to he laid be fore the Legislative Assembly.

Intentional insult

It is given in the Lokayukta Acts of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar,

Chhattisgarh. Gujarat. Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh,

Jharkhand that whoever intentionally offers any insult or causes any interruption to

the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta while he is making any verification or conducting any

inquiry under this Act or whoever by words spoken or intended to be read, makes or

publishes any statement or does any other act, which is calculated to bring the

Lokayukta into disrepute shall be punished with simple imprisonment or fine or both.

In States such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar. Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan,

Uttar Pradesh. Jharkhand duration of imprisonment may be extended to six months, in

Karnataka and Kerala imprisonment may extend to one year, in Orissa imprisonment

may extend to two years, or fine or both,'98 in Punjab imprisonment may extend to

one month or with fine of rupees two thousand or with both.199 Himachal Pradesh
86

Lokayukta has the power and authority in respect of contempt of itself as High Court

has.2DO

Punishment for malicious complaints

In all Lokayukta Acts it is given that if anyone willfully or maliciously makes

any false complaint to the Lokayukta of Upalokayukta is liable to be convicted and

punished with imprisonment and fine or both. This has been done with a view to

discouraging any kind of character assassination and to check frivolous, vexatious and

false complaints. However the extent of imprisonment as well as the amount of fine is

different in Lokayukta Acts of different States. According to the Lokayukta Act of

Assam. Rajasthan. Uttar Pradesh, imprisonment may extend to three years and shall

also be liable to tine. In Andhra Pradesh imprisonment may extend to one year and

shall also be liable to fine.211 In Chhaltisgarh imprisonment may extend to two years

or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or both.202 In Himachal

Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh imprisonment may extend to two years and fine which may

extend to five thousand rupees or both. In Gujarat imprisonment may extend to two

years and shall also be liable to fine.201 In Kerala imprisonment is of not less than

three months but which may extend to six months and fine which shall not be less

than two thousand and may extend to five thousand rupees 2°° In Karnataka

imprisonment not less than six months and may extend to three years and with fine

which shall not be less than two thousand and may extend to five thousand205 In

Punjab imprisonment may extend to one year and fine which may extend to five

thousand rupees'O' In Haryana imprisonment which may extend to three years or tine

which may extend to ten thousand or bvth.20'


e7

Protection

In all the Lokayukta Acts it is mentioned that protection against legal

proceedings is enjoyed by the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta and other agencies and

employees in respect of anything which is done in good faith or is intended to be done

under the Lokayukta or Uplokayukta Act. In addition to this no proceeding or

decision of the Lokayukia or Upalokayukta is liable to be challenged, reviewed,

quashed or called in question in any court. except on the ground of jurisdiction. Thus

immunity from court proceedings has been granted to the Lokayukta or Uplokayukta

regarding any matter connected with his action under the provision of the Lokayukta

Act.

Staff of Lokayukta and Upalokayukta

In all the Lokayukta Acts it is given that the Lokayukta may appoint or

authorize an Upalokayukta or any officer subordinate to Lokayukta to appoint officers

and other employees to assist the Lokayukta and the Uplokayukta in the discharge of

their functions. For the purpose of conducting investigation the Lokayukta or

Uplokayukta has in general authorized to utilize the services of any officer or

investigation agency of the State or Central Government with the concern of that

Government or any other person.

Secrecy of information

In all the Lokayukta Acts it is given that any information adduced in the office

of the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta shall be confidential and no court can compel the

Lokayukta or Upalokayukta to give evidence or produce evidence so recorded or

collected. However this shall not apply to disclosure of any information for purposes

of any action or proceedings to be taken on the report of the Lokayukta or

Upalokayukta.
88

i) Purposes of any proceedings for an offence under the official secrets Act. 1923

or an offence of giving or fabricating false evidence under Indian Penal Code

or for limitation of prosecution under the Lokayukta Act.

ii) For such other purposes as may be prescribed.

Power to delegate

It is given in all the Lokayukta Acts that the Lokayukta or the Upalokayukta

are authorized to delegate any power conferred or duties given to him to his officers,

staff or agencies, except presentation of the Annual Report to the Governor.

The History of Lokpal and Lokayukta at the Centre showed that many

attempts have been made but the Dill could not be passed due to one reason or the

other at the Central level. Political parties have always displayed utmost amount of

enthusiasm for setting up the institution of Lokpal. But if the Central Government is

truly sincere in this respect, then surely the Lokpal will be established at the Central

level. We don't have a Lokpal at the Centre but many State Government established

Lokayukta office in their States. Comparative analysis of important provision of all

the Lokayukta Acts showed the method of appointment, jurisdiction, powers,

infrastructural facilities vary from State to State.

The establishment of Lokayukta in Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat,

Jharkhand showed that there is a big gap between the passing of the Act and its actual

functioning. The Statement of the Lokayuktas of Uttarpradesh, Kerala, Chattisgarh

and Haryana showed that there is a lack of cooperation from the Government side.

Lokayukta in all the States are working hard but it is found that fewer complaints are

received against top public functionaries like Ministers, Member of Legislative

Assembly. In general, the Lokayukta scheme has been regarded more as a failure in

dealing with cases of corruption. States in which Lokayukta have a power to deal with
89

complaints related to grievance and allegation are successful in providing relief to a

number of complainants concerning grievance cases arising out of maladministration.

For the removal of deficiencies in the Lokayukta Acts, amendments in legislations are

required there is need to provide suomoto powers, power of search and seizure and

power to punish to the Lokayukta. There is a need to tone up the State administration

by making it more accountable, responsive, transparent, efficient and effective. State

Government should give its full cooperation to the Lokayukta, the competent

authority should fully cooperate. Personal qualities, such as the image, caliber,

persuasive power, and dynamisrn, perception of his role and initiative of the

individual Lokayukta also count in the success or failure of the office. The attitude of

those who appoint the Ombudsman and the agility, and attentiveness of those for

whom he is appointed also go a long way in determining the level of success or failure

of the Lokayukta institution,208 The role of Lokayukta is not just to accuse public

servants for misconduct. IIe is also expected to guard those public servants who did

no wrong and were falsely iutplicated.20Y After independence large number of steps

have been taken to curb the rising corruption but these have not brought good results

due to lack of accountability in the system, India needs Lokpal and Lokayukta both at

the Central level and at the State level. Governmental administration can be improved

by continuous criticism by an officer like Ombudsman, who focuses on problems of

administration, but who is not involved in making administrative decisions and who is

not restricted to a single field of administration. Large section of our population is

under the category of the poor man, which are not able to stand up for his rights

against the administration, so for common man sake Government at the Centre and

States should give sanction to institution like Lokpal and Lokayukta.


90

References

1. www.transparencyindia.org, last accessed on 30.01.12.

2. Pradeep K. Siddharth, "Lokayukta Acts of Indian States", Anti-Corruption


Source Book, Vol. 5, Bureau of Police Research and Development, New
Delhi, 2000, p.3.

3. Jagannadham and Makhija, "Citizen's Administration and Lokpal", S. Chand,


New Delhi, 1969, p.9.

4. Upendra Thakur, "Corruption in Ancient India", Abhinav Publications, New


Delhi, 1979, p.9.

5. T.S Misra and Ra,jni Goyal "Indian Public Administration, Institutions and
Issues", Wishwa Prakashan, New Delhi, 2000, p.595.

6. T.S Misra, The Origin of the Concept of Ombudsman in Ancient India",


Journal gfPnrlimnentary Information, New Delhi, September, 1990, p,305.

7. Philip Mason, "The Men Who Ruled India", Rupa, New Delhi, 1985, p.13.
8. Vishnoo Bhagwan and Vidya Bhushan, "Public Administration", S. Chand,
New Delhi, 2002, pp.482-483.

9. Basudev Panda. "[ndian Bureaucracy: An Inside Story", Uppal Publishing


House. New Delhi, 1978, p.96.

10. Vishnoo Bhagwan and Vidya Bhushan, no.8.

11. M.K. Gandhi, "Delhi Dairy", Navjivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad, 1948,
p.256.

12. T.N. Rastogi, "Electoral Calculus 1996". Anmol Publication, New Delhi,
1996, p.1. 1

13. M.C, Gupta and R.K Tiwari, "Restructuring Government", Indian Institute of
Public Administration, New Delhi, 1998, p.25.
14. Fred N. Riggs, "Administration in Developing Countries: The Theory of
Prismatic Society", Houghton Miffin Company, Boston, 1964, pp.260-285.
15. Rajani Ranjan Jha, " Lokayukta: The Indian Ombudsman". Rishi Publications,
Varanasi, 1990, pp.'01-104.

16. Report of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, Government of India,


]964, p.l.
91

17. Rajani Ranjan .Iha, no.15.

I8. M. Laxmikant, "Public Aminislration", Tata Mc Graw Hill, New Delhi, 2005,
Pp.211-212.

19. Arun Kumar. "For Drafting an Ideal Lokpal Bill", M~rinsiream, Vol. XLIX,
New Delhi, 11th June 2011, pp.4-5.

20. Subhash Chandra Gupta, "Ombudsman: An Indian Perspective", Manak


Publication, New Delhi, 1995, pp.15-18.

21. Rajani Ranjan Jha, no.15, p.97.

22. R.D. Sharma, "Lokpal: Need for Otnbudsmanic culture in India", Politics
India, May 1997, p.22.
23. K.S. Shukla and S.S.Singh "i.okayukta: Ombudsman in India, A Socio-Legal
Study", Indian Instiitute of Public Adminstration, New Delhi, 1988, p.7.

24. LB Montcrio, "Corruption: Control of Maladministration', Manaktalas,


Bombay, 1966, p.260.

25. Rajani Ranj an Jha, no.15, p.99.

26. Mary Parmar, "Ombudsman (Lokayukla) in Indian States", Indian Journal of


Public Administration Vol. XXXV, New Delhi, January-March, 1989, p.115.

27. Sadhan Kumar Samanta, "Corruption in India: A case for the Ombudsman",
Yak Sahitya. Kolkata, 2003. p.I O8.

28. Ralani Ranjan Jha, no.15, p.101

29. P.B. Gajcndragadkar. "Role of Administration in a Democratic Welfare


State", Indian Journal of Public Administration, Vol. 9, No. 4, New Delhi,
October-December, 1963, p.601.

30. Subhash Chandra Gupta, no.20, p.21.


31. K.L. Pasricha "Democracy Not Piratocracy and Kleptocrey', Indian
Publishers. Delhi, 2004, p.129.

32. I.P. Massey "Administrative Law', Eastern Book Company, Lucknow. 2001,
p.443
33. Interim Report of the Administrative Reforms Commission on Problems of
Redress of Citizens Grievances, Government of India Press, New Delhi, 1967,
p.9.
34. S.V Sohoni, "The Ombudsman in India", Harold Laski Institute of Political
Science, Ahmedabad, 1984, p.27.

35. Lok Sabha Debate. Vol. XVI, 3 April, 1963. CC-7556-58 and 7589-93.

36. Raiant Ranjan Jha, no.15, p.139.

37. Gulzari Lal Nanda, "Citizens Grievances", Public Adminiseruliva, Kanpur,


Vol. 1, No. 16, June 1963, p.17.

38. Rajani Ranjan Jha, no.15, pp.102-105.

39. M.Y. Jain, "Lokpal Ombudsman in India", Academic Books, Bombay, 1970,

pp. 1-6.
40. V. Jagnanadhan and H.R Makhija,"Machinery and Procedure for Redress of
Citizens Grievances", Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi,

1967, pp.66-67.
41. R.K. Dhawan, "Public Grievances and the Lokpal", Allied Publisher, New
Delhi, 1981, pp213-217.
42. Rajani Ranjan Jha, no.15, pp.106-108.

43. S.K Agarwala, "The Proposed Indian Ombudsmen : A Comparative Study of


the Lokpal Bill. 1968", N.M. Tripathi, New Delhi, 1971, p.l.

44. Rajani Ragjan Jha, no.15, pp.106-108.

45. Statement of objects and reasons, appended to the Lokpal Bill 2001.
46. Rajani Ranjan Jha, no.15, p.120.

47. Mecnakshi Kulkarni, "Ombudsman the Institution of Lokayukta and


Upalokayukta", Dattsons, Nagpur, pp.134-138.

48. Statement of objects and reasons, no.45.


49. Meenakshi Kulkarni, no. 47, p.139
50. Statement of objects and reasons. no. 45.
51. Fourth Report of the Second Administrative Reform Commission, 'Ethics in
Governance", January 2007.

52. Ministry of Law and Justice. Resolution no.1(42)/2004-Lee I, 8 April, 2011.


53. Finance Minister's Statement in the Lok Sabha, Press Information Bureau,
27`h August, 2011.
93

54. S.S Singh, "Lokpal Bill, 1996, Missing Ombudsman", Politics India, June,
1997, p_31

55, The Statesman, New Delhi, 12`h November, 1980.

56. Section3 (1), Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 1968.

57. Section 5(l), Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 1968,

58. Section 7(1) (2), Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill. 1968.

59. Section ?(1)Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 1968.

60. Section 7(2), Lokpal and Lokuyukta Bill, 1968.

61. Section 9(1), Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 1968.

62. Section 8(4), Lokpai and Lokayukta Bill, 1968.


63. Statements of objects and reasons, appended to the Lokpal and Lokayukta
Bill, 1968.
64. M.P. Jain, no39, p.158.

65. Rajani Ranjan Jha, no.15, p.108.

66. M.P. Jain. no.39, p.158.

67. Rajani Ranjan Jha, no.15. p.114.

68. Statement of objects and reasons, appended to the Lokpal Bill, 1977.

69. Section 4 (1), Lokpal Bill 1977.

70. lhid.

71. Section 6, Lokpal Bill 1977.

72. Statement of objects and reasons, no.68.

73. Times of India, New Delhi, 25`h July, 1978.

74. S.Y. Kotval, "The Lokpal Bill", Freedom First, No. 312. Bombay, November
1970, p.S.
75_ Section 8 (1) (2), Lokpal Bill 1977.
76. Rajeev Dhavan, "Fngrafting the Ombudsman Idea on a Parliamentary
Democracy: A comment on the Lokpal Bill, 1977", Journal ofthe Indian Law
InszHute, Vol. 19, No. 3, New Delhi, July - September 1977, p. 267.

77, Section 3(1), Lokpal Bill, 1985.

78. Section 5, 1,okpal Bill, 1985,

79. Section 8(1) (2), Lokpal Bill, 1985


93

54. S.S Singh. "Lokpal Bill, 1996, Missing Ombudsman". Politics India, June,
1997. p.31

55. [1w Statesman. New Delhi, 12`x' November, 1980.

56. Section3 (1). Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 1968.

57. Section 5(1), Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill. 1968.

58. Section 7(1) (2), Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 1968.

59. Section 7(1) Lukpal and Lokayukta Bill, 1968.

60. Section 7(2). Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 1968.

61. Section 9(1), Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 1968.


62. Section 8(4). Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 1968.
63. Statements of objects and reasons, appended to the Lokpal and Lokayukta
Bill, 1968.
64. M.P. Jain, no.39, p.158.
65. Rajani Ranjan iha, no.15, p.108.
66. Ni.!'. Jain, no.39, p.158.

67. Rajani Ranjan Jha. no.15, p. 114.

68. Statement of objects and reasons, appended to the Lokpal Bill, 1977.

69. Section 4 (1 ), Lokpal 13i11 1977.


70. Ibid.

71. Section 6. Lokpal Bill 1977.

72. Statement of objects and reasons. no.68.


73. Times of'India. New Delhi, 25` July, 1978.

74. S.P. Kotval. The Lokpal Bill". Freedom First, No. 312, Bombay. November
1970. p.8.
75. Section 8 (1) (2), Lokpal 13111 1977.
76. Rajeev Dhavan, "Engrafting the Ombudsman Idea on a Parliamentary
Democracy: A comment on the Lokpal Bill, 1977', Journal of the Indian Law
In.stitutc. Vol. 19, No. 3. New Delhi. July - September 1977, p. 267.
77. Section 3(1). Lokpal Bill, 1985.

78. Section 5. Lokpal Bill, 1985.


79. Section 8(1) (2). Lokpal Bill, 1985
94

80. Ibid.

81. Section 9(3). Lokpal Bill, 1985.

82. Section 3(1) (2) (3), Lokpal Bill, 1989.

83. Section 5, Lokpal Bill, 1989,

84. Section S. Lokpal Bill, 1989.

85. Section 9(3), Lokpal Bill, 1989.

86. Section 3(2), Lokpal Bill, 1996.

87. Section 4(1), Lokpal Bill. 1996.

88. Section 9(l), Lokpal Bill, 1996.

89. Section 10(3), Lokpal Bill, 1996.

90. Section 6(1)(2), Lokpal Bill, 1996,

91. Section 10, Lokpal Bill, 1998.

92. Section 11(2). Lokpal Bill, 1998.

93. Section 16, Lokpal Bill. 1998.


94, Section 6(1), Lokpal Bill, 2001.

95. Section 4(1), Lokpal Bill, 2001.

96. Section 10(1), Lokapal Bill, 2001.

97. Section 3, Lokpal and I,okayukta Bill, 2011.


98. Section 4(1), Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011.
99. Section 6, Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011.

100. Section 14, Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011.

101. [hid.

102. Section 53, Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011.

103. Section 75, Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011.

104. Subhash C. Kashyap, "tlstory of the Parliament of India", Vot.3, Centre for
Policy Research, New Delhi, 1996, pp. 23I-234.

105. Pradeep K. Siddharth, no.2, p.l.

106. Rajani Ranjan Jha, nu.15, p.138.


107. D.R Saxena, "Ombudsman (Lokpal): Redress of Citizens Grievances in
India", Deep and Deep Publications, New Delhi,1987, p.375.
95

108. Annual Report of Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upalokayukta, 25th October,


1972 - 24`bOctober, 1973, p.l .
109. The Hindu, New Delhi. 20'a August, 1968.
110. Annual Report of Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upalokayukta , no.108, p. 13

111. Annual Report of Rajasthan Lokayukta and Lpalokayukta 01 1973-74, p.2.

112. G.S Singhvi, "The Lokayukta Institution: Rajasthan Experience', Indian


Journal of Public Administration, Vol. XXIV, New Delhi, January-March,
1978, p.1 145.

13. The Times of India, Delhi, 18" March. 1963.

114. The Hindustan Times, Delhi. 76 November, L971.

115. Rajani Ranjtm Jha, no.15, p.140.

116. Rajasthan Lokayukta and UpalokayuktaAct, 1973, Section 3(b).

117. Rajani Ranjan Jha, no.15, pp.217-219.

1 18. The Indian Nation, Patna, 29'h January, 1986,

119. Rajani Ranjan Jha, no.15, p.219.

120. RB Jain, "Contemporary Issues in Indian Administration", Vishal Publication,


Delhi, 1976. p.392.

121. Rajani Ranjan Jha, no.15, p.220.

122. R. B Jain, no.120. p.393.


123. Rajani Ranjan Jha, no.15, p.219.
124. Annual Report of Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta and Upalokayukta, 14 September,
1977 -31°` December, 1978, p.3.

125. The Hindustan Times, Delhi, 13th July, 1977.

126. R. K Dhawan, no.41, p.235.


127, The .Statesman, Delhi, 5thJune, 1975.
128. Rani Ranjan Jha, no.15, p.141.
129. Vibha Shrivastava, "Lokayukta System in Uttar Pradesh", Oriental
Enterprises, Uttaranchal, 2006, p.59.

130. .Annual Report of Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta and Upalokayukta, no. 124, p.1.

131. Northern India Patrika. .Allahabad, 16" November, 1984.



96

132. Preeti Dilip Pohekar, "A Study of Ombudsman System in India with Special
Reference to i.okayukta in Maharastra", Gyan, New Delhi, 2010, pp.141-146.

133. Annual Report of Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta and Upalokayuka, 15'h


February, 1982 -31" March, 1983, p.lI.
134. Rajani RanjanJha, no- 15, pp.142-143.
135. Preeti Dilip Pohekar, no.132, p.140.
136. Annual Report of Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta, 1986.. p.l.
137. The Assam Gazette, 3 P December 1986, pp.1054-1078,

138. www.asianage.eomlinthatlokayukta-toothless-tiger-assam, last accessed on


01.08.2011.

139. The Times of India, New Delhi, 24'h July, 2002.

140. www.lndia today.in Karnataka-Lokayukta-corrupt politics, last accessed on


129.2012.
14L. The JIindu, Delhi, 4"' December, 2002.

142. Rajani Ranjan Jha, no.l5, p.143.

143. Ibid., p. 204.


144. www.indianexpress.com'news/missing-in-action-state-sans-lokayukta-for-
past- five years, last accessed on 01.06.2013.
145_ www.iGovemment.in/site/gujarat-beiges-process-appoint-Lokayukta,last
accessed on 17.06.2010.
146, www.dnaindia.com/india/1555291/report-is-justice-ra-mehta-likety-to-
appointed-gujarat-Lokayukta, last accessed on 01.06.2013.
147. www.thehindu.com/news(national/gujarat-tokayukta-controversy-bots-up, last
accessed on 01.06.2013.
148. www.thehindubusiness.emn/news/apex-cottrt-upholds-justice-mehta-
appointment-as-gujarat-lokayukta, last accessed on 10.05.2013.

149. The Indian Express, 12's May, Delhi, 1999.

150. www.sify.cominews/punjab-government-appoints-lokayukta-atnid-
controversy, last accessed on 10.05.2013.
151. Kerala Lokayukta Act, 1999.

152. Lokayuktakerala.gov.in/admin/index, last accessed on 01.06.2013

153, www°.indiarti.com/news/noda/1517, last accessed on 01.06.2013


97

154. Chhattisgarh Lok Aavog Adhyadesh 2002.

155. www.iadia.eom/news/chattisgarh/no-goverrament-scheme-is-corruption-free,
last accessed on 01.06.2013.
156. w vAv.indianexpress.com/newsinow-chattisgarh-lokayukta-targets-raman-
government-over-gruli, last accessed on 01. 06. 2013.
157. www.lokavuktajharkltand.nic.in last accessed on 26. 11. 2012.

158. Haryana Lokayukta Act, 2002.

159. wwvv.itvnewsindia.comlpoweTiess-lokayukta-once-again, last accessed on 01.


06.2013.

160. www.merinews.comlarticle/hnryana-Lokayukta-facing-similar-problems-like-
7ustice-hegde, last accessed on 30.07.2010.
161. Aw-w. article .times of India.indiaffmes.comi2011-02-06/india/28357449-
lokayukta-office-haryana-]okayukta-act-corrupt-publicservant, last accessed
on 01.06.2013.

162. Goa Lokayukvtn Act, 2011.

163. www.indiatirnes.com/2012-05/21 /goa/3 1800134-1 -public-functionary-


iokayukta-oT-1pa-lokay11kta-ppoirnment. last accessed on 01.12.12.

164. w-ww.indianexpress.com/news/will-make-changes-in-lok-ayukta-bill-
uttarakhand-cm, last accessed on 1.12.12.

165. Section 3 (1) (b), Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta and Uplukayukta Act, 1983.

166. Section 3 (1) (a), Assam Lokayukta and Uplokayukta Act, 1985.
167. Section 3(5), Chhattisgarh Lok Aayog Adhyadesh 2002.

168. Section (2) (a), Karnataka LokayuktaAct, 1984.

169. Section 5(3)(l), Haryana Lokayukta Act, 2002.

170. Section 3(2), Kerala Lokayukta Act, 1999, as amended by Act 2 of 2000.

171. Section 4(1), Punjab Lokpal Act, 1996.

172. Section 3(b), Orissa Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 1995.

173. Section 3, Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta Evarn Uplokayukta Adhiniyam, 1981.

174. Annual Report of Rajasthan Lokayukta, 1974-1975, p.7.

175. Rajani Ranjan Jha, no.15, p.145.

176. Section 3(2), Gujarat Lokayukta Act, 1986.


98

177. Section 3(1) (a). Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Act, 1983.

178. Section 3(3), Chattisgarh Lok AayogAdhyadesh, 2002.

179. Section 4(3), Punjab Lokpal Act, 1996.

180. Section 3(1)(c), Andhra PradeshLokayukta and Upalokayukta Act.

181, Section, 3(4), Chattisgarh Lok Aavog Adhyadesh, 2002.

182. Section 3(2)(b), Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta Evam Uplokayukta Adhiniyam,


1981

183. Section 5(1), Assam Lokayuktaand Upalokayukta Act, 1985.

184, Rajani Ranjan Jha, no. 15, p.146.

185. Section 7. Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta Evam Uplukayukta Adhiniyam, 1981.

186. Section 8(c), Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984.

187. Section 8, Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Act, 1983.

188. Section 8(d). Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta Act, 1983.

189. Section 5(3), Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Act, 1983.

190. Section 5(3), Rajasthan Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Act, 1973.

191. Section 6 (a) (b), Orissa Lokpal and Upalokayukta Act, 1995.

192. Section 5(2) (c), Rajasthan Lokayukta and Upalokayukta Act,) 973.

193. Section 9(1), Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta Evam Uplokayukta Adhiniyam,


1981.
194. Section 8(1), Chattisgarh Lok Aayog Adhyadesh, 2002.

195. Section 9(1), Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta Evam Uplokayukta Adhiniyam,


1981.

196. Rajam Ranjan Jha, no.35, p. k54.


197. Section 9(4), Orissa Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 1995.

198. Section 16(1) (2), Orissa Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 1995.

199. Section 20 (1) (2), Punjab Lokpal Act, 1996.

200. Section HA, Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta Act, 1983.

201. Section 13, Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta and Lpalokayukta Act, 1983.

202. Section 8(2), Chattisgarh Lok Aayog Adhyadesh, 2002.

203. Section 9 (5), Gujarat Lokayukta Act, 1986.


204. Section 21(1). Kerala Lokayukta Act. 1999, as amended by Act 2 of 2000.

205. Section 20 (1),Karnataka Lokayukta Act. 1984,

206. Section 22(1).Punjab Lokpal Act. 1996.

207. Section 16, Haryana Lokayukta Act. 2002,.

208. Rajani Ranjan Jha, The Ombudsman scene in India", in Roy Gregory and
Philip Giddings (ed.), 'Righting Wrongs: The Ombudsman in Six Continents',
IOS Press. Amsterdam, 2000, p.262.

209. S.V. Sohoni, no.34, p.35.

You might also like