Lokayukta

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The Lokayukta (also Lok Ayukta; lokāyukta, "civil commissioner") is the Indian Parliamentary Ombudsman, executed into power, through and for, each of the State Governments of India. It is brought into effect in a state after passing the Lokayukta Act in the respective state legislature, and a person of reputable background is nominated for the post. The post was created to quickly address the working of the government or its administration (public servants). Once appointed, Lokayukta cannot be dismissed or transferred by the government, and can only be removed by passing an impeachment motion by the state assembly.^[1][2][3][4]

The Administrative Reforms Commission for Redressal of Citizen's Grievances submitted its interim report to the prime minister in October 1966,^[5] with recommendations to set up the Institution of Lokayukta in each of the States. The aim of this institution was to investigate complaints against administrative actions and to improve the standard of public administration in India. The existing systems to handle these issues, such as courts, departmental authorities, and other avenues, were deemed insufficient to deal with issues of corruption and other malpractices by public servants. Therefore, an alternative and efficient system was needed.

In 1968, the Government of India, on the basis of the Administrative Reforms Commission report and its recommendation, established the institution of Lokayukta on the pattern of the Ombudsman Institution and introduced a bill that provided for the appointment of Lok-Pal and its deputies at the national level and included Lokayukta for the states. Though the bill passed in the Lok Sabha (Lower House) it could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House). However, the bill formed the basis of legislation in several States for the creation of Lokayukta and the provisions of the Lokayukta Acts varied from one state to another. As a result of this, resolutions were adopted in the 1st All India Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Conference held in Shimla to maintain uniformity in the provisions of various Acts of the states, and the same was reiterated in the All India Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Conference held in Bhopal on 9 and 10 October 2010. It was resolved that uniformity in the Acts of all the States is necessary, and hence it was planned through a Central Legislation.

Naresh Kadyan moved public interest litigation before High Court and then contempt of court order petition for not appointing Lokayukta in Haryana. The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), headed by Morarji Desai, submitted a special interim report on "Problems of Redressal of Citizen's Grievances" in 1966. In this report, the ARC recommended the setting up of two special authorities designated as 'Lokpal' and 'Lokayukta' for the redressal of citizens' grievances.

The Lokayukta, along with the Income Tax Department and the Anti Corruption Bureau, mainly helps people publicise corruption among the politicians and government officials.^[6] Many acts of the LokAyukta have resulted in criminal or other consequences for those charged.^[7]

Maharashtra was the first state to introduce the institution of Lokayukta through The Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act in 1971.^[8][9] This was followed by similar acts that were enacted by the states of Odisha, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Delhi. The powers of Lokayukta in each state are different, and efforts are being made to make them uniform.