Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the hue and cry triggered by the alleged scam in procurement of masks and PPE kits for Covid warriors, the state government has revised rules to shield officers.
The General Administration (GA) department has notified the Odisha Lokayukta (procedure of filing of complaint) Rules, 2020. As per new norms, the Lokayukta will have to process a complaint protecting the identity of the complainant and the public servant complained against till the conclusion of the inquiry.
However, the complainant himself can reveal his identity to any other office or authority while making a complaint to the Lokayukta. The anti-corruption panel will have to protect the integrity of the process of inquiry or investigation.
The government has given power to Lokayukta to dispose of a complaint where the contents of the complaint are illegible, vague, ambiguous, trivial or frivolous.
If the Lokayukta is satisfied that there exists a case for an inquiry against the public servant including any person or institution, notice will be served on such public servant, person or institution calling for explanation from the noticee. The noticee will be given 45 days to reply.
The Lokayukta will now have to provide a copy of its order to all affected parties and respective departments concerned.
