NEWS – Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi was sworn in as the new judicial member of Lokpal of India by the Chairperson of Lokpal, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar

HIGHLIGHTS
Historical Background of Lokpal and Lokayuktas:

• The concept of Ombudsman, later adopted as Lokpal and Lokayuktas in India, originated in Sweden in 1809.
• In the early 1960s, Ashok Kumar Sen, the former law minister of India, proposed the concept of a constitutional Ombudsman in Parliament.
• The term “Lokpal” was coined in 1963 by L.M. Singvi, derived from Sanskrit meaning “protector of people.”
• The LokPal Bill was introduced multiple times in Parliament but faced challenges in passing.
• In 1971, Maharashtra became the first Indian state to establish a Lokayukta to combat corruption in various agencies.
• The Anna Movement for Lokpal in 2011 gained significant public attention and support, highlighting the demand for anti-corruption measures.

Commission and Movements Advocating for Lokpal and Lokayuktas:

• First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966):
  • Advocated for establishing independent authorities at the national and state levels to investigate complaints against public officials, led by Morarji Desai.
• Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2002):
  • Chaired by M.N. Venkatachiliah, recommended excluding the Prime Minister from the Lokpal’s purview.
• 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission (2005):
  • Chaired by Veerappa Moily, proposed the prompt establishment of the Lokpal office.

Timeline of Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013:

• The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, was passed by both houses of Parliament in 2013 and came into effect on January 16, 2014.
• The Act underwent revisions in 2016 to address minor gaps.
• Justice (Retd) Pinaki Chandra Ghose was appointed as India’s first Lokpal in March 2019, along with other members.
• Rules and structures for registering complaints were announced by the Lokpal in March 2020.

Composition and Functions of Lokpal and Lokayuktas:

• Composition and Eligibility:
  • The Lokpal panel comprises a chairperson and up to eight members, with specific eligibility criteria for each position, including judicial backgrounds and expertise in anti-corruption policies.
  • At least half of the Lokpal members must be from marginalized communities.
• Selection Committees:
  • The Selection Committee for Lokpal includes the Prime Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition, Chief Justice of India, and an eminent jurist.
  • Lokayukta appointments involve consultations with judicial and legislative authorities at the state level.

Term, Salary, and Allowances: Lokpal and Lokayukta members serve a five-year term or until the age of 70, with salary and allowances similar to judicial positions.

Functions and Jurisdiction of Lokpal and Lokayuktas:

• Lokpal investigates corruption charges against public officials, excluding certain high-ranking positions in specific contexts.
• It has powers for swift investigation, search and seizure, and supervision over central investigating agencies.