February
19, 2014
Odisha
Legislative Assembly passed the Odisha Lokayukta Bill 2014,
with provision of keeping Chief Minister, ex-Chief Ministers, other ministers
and public servants under the purview of a six-member anti-corruption
panel.
Excerpts of the provisions of the Odisha Lokayukta Bill 2014
- Members of the anti-corruption watchdog panel: The head of the panel and two members will be
from judicial background while three others will be non-judicial members.
From among three non-judicial members one would be women or scheduled
caste, scheduled tribe or minority category on rotation basis.
- Minimum age of Lokayukta: 50 years.
- The Lokayukta will be chosen by a selection committee
headed by the Chief Minister and comprising others including the Leader of
the Opposition, speaker of Odisha assembly, Chief Justice of Odisha High
Court or a judge nominated by him and an eminent jurist nominated by the
Governor.
- The chairman of the Lokayukta would be appointed by the
Governor on the recommendation of the selection committee.
- Lokayukta can inquire or direct an inquiry into any
corruption related matters in the state.
- Removal and suspension of the chairperson and members
of Lokayukta: they can be removed by the
order of the Governor on the ground of misbehaviour. Before doing so, the
Governor is required to refer the petition signed by at least 25 MLAs to
the Orissa
High Court.
- Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 viz. Present chief minister, members of his council of
ministers, former chief ministers and ministers, MLAs, chairpersons of
municipalities, panchayat samitis, secretaries, directors and chairpersons
of various government-run boards and corporations, contractors, supplying
agencies, procurement farms, outsourcing agencies and non-governmental
organizations receiving public funds, etc, would come under the purview
of the Lokayukta.
- Penalty for those making false complaint: Imprisonment up to one year with fine which may extend
up to Rs 1 lakh.
Note: Odisha became the first state to enact the law after the
Central Act was passed in Parliament in December 2013.
