- The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption authority ombudsman (An ombudsman is an official, appointed by the government or by parliament to represent the interests of the public).
- He works along with the Income Tax Department and the Anti Corruption Bureau.
- The Lokayukta (sometimes referred to the institution itself) investigates allegations of corruption and maladministration against public servants and is tasked with speedy redressal of public grievances.
States that have this authority:
- Only 19 Indian States have Lokayukta.
- Maharashtra was the first State to introduce the institution of Lokayukta in 1971.
- There are no Lokayuktas in Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, TamilNadu, Tripura and West Bengal.
- The process to set up Lokayukta in Goa is in progress.
- Karnataka’s Lokayukta is considered one of the strongest..
Appointment
- The Lokayukta is usually a former High Court Chief Justice or former Supreme Court judge and has a fixed tenure.
Roles
- Any citizen can make his/her complaints of corruption directly to the Lokayukta against any government official or elected representative.
- Lokayukta’s power varies from State to State.
- In some States, the Lokayukta inquires into allegations against functionaries including public Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs.
- While some has the power to investigate into civil servants/bureaucrats, judiciary and police.
CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION
- The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is the main agency for preventing corruption in the Central governments.
- It was established in 1964 by an executive resolution of the Central government and it was recommended by the [[Santhanam Committee]] on Prevention of Corruption (1962-64).
- Thus, originally the CVC was neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body.
- Recently, in September 2003, the Parliament enacted a law conferring statutory status on the CVC.
Composition:
The Commission shall consist of
- A Central Vigilance Commissioner - Chairperson;
- Not more than two Vigilance Commissioners - Members;
Appointment:
By the President on the recommendation of a three-member committee consisting of
- The [[Prime Minister]] as its head
- The Union Minister of Home affairs
- The Leader of the Opposition in the [[Lok Sabha]]
Present, CVC - Shri KV Chowdary
Other Vigilance Commissioners - Shri Rajiv - Tejendra Mohan Bhasin
Term and Tenure:
- They hold office for a term of 4 years or until they attain the age of 65 years whichever is earlier.
- After their tenure, they are not eligible for further employment under the Central or a state government.
Salary:
- Similar to those of the Chairman of UPSC and that of the vigilance commissioner are similar to those of a member of UPSC.
Functions:
- To inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation to be conducted on a reference made by the Central government wherein it is alleged that a public servant being an employee of the Central government or its authorities, has committed an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
- To exercise superintendence over the functioning of Delhi special police establishment.
- To give directions to the Delhi Special Police Establishment for the purpose of discharging the responsibility entrusted to it under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
- To tender advise to the Central government and its authorities on such matters as are referred to it by them.
- To exercise superintendence over the vigilance administration in the ministries of the Central Government or its authorities.
Working:
- The CVC conducts its proceedings at its headquarters (New Delhi).
- It has all the powers of a civil court and its proceedings have a judicial character.
- The CVC, on receipt of the report of the inquiry undertaken to the president a report on its performance.
- The president places this report before each House of Parliament.