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The State of Maharashtra is the first and pioneer State in India to introduce the concept of Lokayukta by enacting the Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 1971 in view of the recommendations made by the Administrative Reforms Commission headed by Late Shri Morarji Desai in 1966. The Maharashtra Lokayukta is an apex statutory functionary in the State of Maharashtra, independent of the governing political and public administration, created to address the grievances of the people against the Govt. of Maharashtra and its administration. Lokayukta, the Indian equivalent of the Parliamentary Ombudsman was first established in the State of Maharashtra in 1972. It was established through The Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 1971. (Although, Odisha was the first state to pass the act in 1970, it was implemented there only in 1983 when it nominated its first lokayukta).[1][2][3][4][5]
The Governor appoints the Lokayukta after due consultations with Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Upa-Lokayukta is appointed after consultation with the Lokayukta. Once appointed, Lokayuka or Upa-Lokayukta can remain in office for a term of five years.[2]
Appointment and tenure
Following is the list of Lokayuktas for Maharashtra:[6]
| Index | Name | Holding charge from | Holding charge to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | S. P. Kotwal | 25 October 1972 | 24 October 1977 |
| 2 | L. M. Nadkarni | 25 October 1977 | 1 January 1978 |
| 3 | A. R. Shimpi | 2 January 1978 | 25 January 1979 |
| 4 | S. V. Bhave | 26 January 1979 | 5 September 1979 |
| 5 | N. D. Kamath | 6 September 1979 | to be updated |
V. M. Kanade appointed as Lokayukta in 2021
Removal
Lokayuka or Upa-Lokayukta can be removed from his office through the process of impeachment. The removal can only be on the grounds of misbehavior or incapacity and no other grounds. The procedure for removal is as per Article 311 of Constitution of India.[2]
Notable cases
- In April 2021, the state Lokayukta had asked for a report from the principal secretary (housing) and Chairman of Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority (Mhada) on allegation of land encroachment against one of the ministers in the state Government.[7]
- In May 2021, state governor had referred to Lokayukta of the alleged wrong practices followed in e-ticketing tenders of MSRTC for investigation and appropriate action.[8]
- The institution received around 23,718 complaints for investigation from January 2015 to June 2019.[9]
Powers
Any citizen can make his/her complaints of corruption directly to the Lokayukta against any government official or elected representative. Lokayukta's power varies from State to State. In some States, the Lokayukta inquires into allegations against public functionaries including Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs. While some has the power to investigate into civil servants/bureaucrats, judiciary and police.Template:Fact
In year 2019, Maharashtra Government brought the Chief Minister's office under the purview of this institution.[10]
The state also introduced online complaint facility service for the public.[11]
See also
- Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta
- Karnataka Lokayukta
- Goa Lokayukta
- Assam Lokayukta
- Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta
- Telangana Lokayukta
References
- ↑ Maharashtra Lokayukta Act English and Marathi. lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Maharashtra Lokayukta Act. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ↑ Lokayukta a 'paper tiger' in Anna's home state. The Times of India(18 August 2011). Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ↑ Lokayukta Maharashtra. lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
- ↑ Lokayukta. INSIGHTSIAS(25 August 2020). Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ↑ A Balance-Sheet of State Lokayuktas. Journal of the Indian Law Institute({Template:Year).
- ↑ Mumbai: Lokayukta seeks report on plaint against Anil Parab | Mumbai News - Times of India. The Times of India(22 April 2021). Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ↑ Maharashtra governor forwards 'MSRTC scam' letter to Lokayukta | Mumbai News - Times of India. The Times of India(27 May 2021). Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ↑ Lokayukta gets 23,718 complaints in five years, recommends action in 364. The Hindu(26 December 2019). Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ↑ Maharashtra govt brings CMO under Lokayukta(30 January 2019). Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ↑ Only four states have appointed judicial, non-judicial members of Lokayukta, says report(8 December 2020). Retrieved 26 August 2021.
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