NEWS – President Droupadi Murmu appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice AM Khanwilkar as the chairperson of Lokpal

LOKPAL

• Refers to the ombudsman institution established in India to address complaints of corruption against public officials, including the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament
• The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, came into effect to create an independent body to investigate allegations of corruption at the central level

Key points about Lokpal include:

1. Composition: The Lokpal consists of a chairperson and a maximum of eight members, with half of them being judicial members. The selection committee, headed by the Prime Minister, includes the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition, Chief Justice of India, and an eminent jurist.
2. Jurisdiction: The Lokpal has the authority to inquire into allegations of corruption against public officials, including the Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament, and other government officials. It covers acts of corruption that occurred or may have occurred during the public servant’s term of office.
3. Investigation Powers: The Lokpal is empowered to conduct inquiries, investigations, and proceedings against public officials accused of corruption. It has the authority to summon, examine witnesses, and gather evidence.
4. Appointment of Lokayuktas: The Act also provides for the appointment of Lokayuktas at the state level to address corruption complaints against state government officials. The Lokayuktas are intended to complement the role of the Lokpal at the central level.
5. Whistleblower Protection: The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act includes provisions for protecting whistleblowers who report corruption. It aims to encourage individuals to come forward with information about corrupt practices without fear of retaliation.
6. Transparency: The Lokpal operates with transparency, and its proceedings are generally made public. The Act also provides for the establishment of a Lokpal website to disseminate information about its work.
7. Prevention of Corruption: In addition to investigating corruption complaints, the Lokpal is tasked with promoting transparency and accountability in public administration to prevent corruption.

Establishing the Lokpal was a significant step in addressing corruption at the highest levels of government in India. The institution is meant to serve as an independent and effective body for dealing with corruption cases, contributing to the promotion of good governance and accountability