Kerela Assembly passes Lokayukta Amendment Bill

Published: 8th Sep, 2022

Context

Kerala Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2022, has been passed by the State’s legislature, amid a boycott led by the opposition.

Background

The term Lokpal and Lokayukta were coinedby M. Singhvi.
In 1966, the First Administrative Reforms Commission recommended the setting up of two independent authorities- at the central and state level, to look into complaints against public functionaries, including MPs.
In 2005, the Second Administrative Reforms Commissionchaired by VeerappaMoily also recommended that the office of Lokpal should be established without delay.
In some states, Lokayuktas were already functioning when the 2013 Act was passed.
Most states, however, are without a Lokayukta even after the 2013 Act.

About

Key-highlight of the Kerala Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2022:

A public servant has to vacate officeif directed by the Lokayukta.
The amendment Bill has made the Legislative Assembly the competent authorityto review an indicting report against the Chief Minister.
In the case of legislators, the competent authority will be the House Speaker.
The competent authority can now either reject or accept the ombudsman’s report.
If a Lokayukta report indicts a cabinet minister, the Bill vests the reviewing authority in the Chief Minister.
The Bill exempts political leaders from the purview of the Act.
The Bill allows for retired High Court judges to be appointed Lokayukta.

Who are the Lokayuktas?

The Lokayuktas are the state equivalents of the Lokpal at the centre.
These institutions are statutory bodieswithout any constitutional status.
Role: States have to establish the Lokayukta to deal with complaints of corruption against certain public functionaries in the states.
The Supreme Court has also directed for states to take steps for the appointment of Lokayukta.

Formation of Lokayukta:

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act delegates the power to States to establish by law the Lokayukta to deal with complaints relating to corruption against public functionaries.
The Lokayukta is appointed by the Governor of the State.
At the time of appointment, the Governor, generally,consults the Chief Justice of the State High Court, and the Leader of Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly.
The structure of Lokayukta does not follow a uniform pattern in all the states.

CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS