Maharashtra became the first state in the country to pass the Lokayukta Bill

Tags: State News

The Maharashtra Assembly passed the Lokayukta Bill 2022 on December 28, which brings the chief minister and council of ministers under the ambit of the anti-corruption ombudsman. It is the first state in the country to do so.

Important facts

• The Bill was passed without any discussion as the opposition walked out of the House over the alleged scam in the teacher's entrance examination.

• Cabinet minister Deepak Kesarkar introduced the bill, which seeks to bring the chief minister and the cabinet under the ambit of the anti-corruption ombudsman.

Key provisions of the Bill

• As per the provision of the Bill, the Lokayukta will have to take the approval of the Legislative Assembly before initiating any inquiry against the Chief Minister.

• Such a proposal would require the approval of at least two-thirds of the total members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

• The bill also states that Lokayukta will not investigate cases related to allegations of corruption against the chief minister relating to internal security or public order.

• Any such inquiry shall be kept confidential and if the Lokayukta comes to the conclusion that the complaint deserves to be dismissed, the records of the inquiry shall not be published or made available to anyone.

• The Lokayukta shall have a Chairperson, who shall be a present or former Chief Justice of a High Court.

• Apart from this, there will be a judge of the Supreme Court or Bombay High Court.

• The Lokayukta shall have a maximum of four members, of whom two shall be from the judiciary.

Selection committee for the appointment of the Lokayukta Chairperson and Members 

• It will consist of the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker of the Legislative Council, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and the Council, and a judge nominated by the Chief Justice or Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

• No appointment of Lokayukta chairman or member will be invalid in the absence of anyone in the selection committee.

CM of Maharashtra - Eknath Shinde

Governor of Maharashtra - Bhagat Singh Koshyari