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Rajasthan Lokayukta
Agency overview
Formed1973
Jurisdictional structure
Federal agency India
Operations jurisdiction India
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersRajasthan Lokayukta, Lokayukta Secretariat Rajasthan, Government Secretariat Complex, Jaipur-302005.
Agency executive
  • Hon’ble Shri Justice Shri Pratap Krishna Lohra. [1], Chairperson
Website
lokayukta.rajasthan.gov.in

Rajasthan Lokayukta is the Parliamentary Ombudsman for the state of Rajasthan ( India). It is a high level statutory functionary,  created to address grievances of the public against ministers, legislators, administration and public servants in issues related to misuse of power, mal-administration and corruption. It was first formed under the Rajasthan Lokayukta and Deputy Lokayukta Act, and approved by the president of India. The passage of Lokpal and Lokayukta's Act,2013 in Parliament had become law from January 16, 2014 and requires each state to appoint its Lokayukta within a year. [2] [3] A bench of Lokayukta should consist of judicial and non-judicial members. [4] An Upa-Lokayukta is a deputy to Lokayukta [5] and assists him in his work and acts in-charge Lokayukta in case the position fells vacant before time.

A Lokayukta of the state is appointed to office by the state Governor after consulting the committee consisting of State Chief Minister, Speaker of Legislative Assembly, Leader of Opposition, [5] Chairman of Legislative Council and Leader of Opposition of Legislative Council and cannot be removed from office except for reasons specified in the Act and will serve the period of five years.

History and administration

Rajasthan Lokayukta Act was passed in 1973 [6] making it one of the first state's (3rd state) to pass the law before the Central Government passed the Bill, [7] and got President's approval in January 2015. The Act was passed for the formation of anti-corruption panel to look into allegation of corruption and other abuse of power by Chief Minister, ex-Chief Ministers, other ministers under him and public functionaries and influential officials as per the Act. The act replaces the Odisha Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 1995. As per the Indian Penal code all the proceedings before Lokayukta are considered as judicial proceedings.

Rajasthan Lokayukta Act prohibits disclosure of the identity of the complainant and the functionary against whom the complaint is filed during proceedings before it. The Act lays down for the electronically filed complaint to be filed in hard copy within 15 days of the date of complaint filed by the complainant. As per the Act protection is given for the integrity of the investigation process and to the complainant but not be liable in case the person discloses himself. According to the Act the complaint will be made void in case it is not related to public functionary or the content has ambiguity or fraud or is not related to the purpose mentioned therein. However the Lokayukta can continue with enquiry or investigation if he finds purpose in the complaint and the same is mentioned in the Act. Additionally if after commencement of investigation he finds the grounds are insufficient, he can discontinue the investigation. The office of Lokayukta has the facility of filing complaints online. [8]

Oath or affirmation

"I, <name>, having been appointed Lokayukta (or Upa-Lokayukta) do swear in the name of God (or solemnly affirm) that I will bear faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my ability, knowledge and judgment perform the duties of my office without fear or favour, affection or ill-will."

— First Schedule, Odisha Lokayukta and Deputy Lokayukta Act-2013

Powers

Rajasthan Lokayukta has complete and exclusive authority for enquiring into allegations or complaints against the State Chief Minister, State Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers of the state Government, Leader of Opposition and Government officials. [7] [9]

Appointment and tenure

Justice Pratap Krishna Lohra, former Rajasthan High Court judge was appointed as Lokayukta for the office of Rajasthan Lokayukta. [10] Rajasthan Lokayukta tenure is five years. [11] [6]

Notable cases

  • Rajasthan Lokayukta resolved 28,524 cases out of 28,581 between years 2013 and 2019. [6]
  • Rajasthan Lokayukta got 885, 860, 814, and 755 complaints against the revenue, urban development and housing, police department and rural development departments respectively in year 2017-18. [12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "लोकायुक्त सचिवालय स्वागत करता है". lokayukta.rajasthan.gov.in. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  2. ^ Seetharaman, G. (10 November 2018). "Delay in appointment of Lokpal & Lokayukta: Who will bell the graft?". The Economic Times. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Lok Sabha passes landmark Lokpal Bill". businessline. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Only four states have appointed judicial, non-judicial members of Lokayukta, says report". The Economic Times. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  5. ^ a b "No provision of advertising vacancies of Lokayukta: MP Govt". The Economic Times. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot govt reduces Lokayukta tenure to 5 years". The Indian Express. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  7. ^ a b Pohekar, Preeti Dilip (2010). A study of ombudsman system in India with special reference to lokayukta in Maharashtra. New Delhi: Gyan Pub. House. ISBN  978-81-212-1055-3. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Only Odisha, TN, Bihar, Manipur have appointed judicial and non-judicial members of Lokayukta, finds report". Firstpost. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  9. ^ "The ABC of Lokayukta". DNA India. 24 March 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Pratap Krishna Lohra takes oath as Rajasthan Lokayukta". outlookindia.com. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Tenure of Rajasthan Lokayukta cut". The Hindu. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Rajasthan Lokayukta got 885 complaints against revenue dept in 2017-18". Hindustan Times. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2021.

External links

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