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lok-ayukta

  • 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

  1. The [[Prime Minister]] as its head
  2. The Union Minister of Home affairs
  3. 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.