Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 28: The much awaited Orissa Lokayukta Bill 2014, that received Presidential asset Wednesday, has provisions to keep track of the performance of Chief Minister, ministers, former chief ministers and public servants, among others, through a six-member anti-corruption panel. All individuals and organisations dealing with government money will come under the Lok Ayukta’s purview.
With the Presidential assent, the bill turned into law. The state government will soon start setting the system in place, official sources said. The bill was passed by the state assembly February 14 last year, and sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for his nod the next month. The bill has provisions similar to that of the Central act passed in Parliament in December, 2013.
With the assent, Orissa became the first state to enact the law after the Central act was passed in Parliament.
The new law has a total 60 clauses. “Under its provisions, the incumbent as well as former chief ministers, ministers, MLAs, government officers, heads of panchayats and municipalities and trusts receiving government grants will be open to the panel’s scrutiny, and the Lokayukta is empowered to order probe into graft charges,” official sources said.
The chairman of the Lokayukta will be a sitting or former high court judge and the commission would have at least two judicial members. From among three non-judicial members, one would be a woman or a scheduled caste, scheduled tribe or minority community member, who would take the seat on a rotation basis. The Lokaykta chief’s age should be 50 years or above. He will hold office for five years from the date he takes office or until he attains the age of 70, whichever is earlier.
The new law’s provisions say the Lokayukta will be chosen by a selection committee headed by the Chief Minister and comprising the Leader of the Opposition, Speaker of the state assembly, chief justice of Orissa 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.
The Lokayukta investigating corruption cases will be empowered to attach properties of the guilty for a period of 90 days. Special courts will be set up for trial of such cases. Besides confiscation of properties, the Lokayukta may recommend to the state government transfer or/and suspension of any public servant.
