Maharashtra Lokayukta

The Maharashtra Lokayukta is the body overseeing corruption in various agencies in the Govt. of Maharashtra in India. Established in 1971, it is the first ever Lokayukta of all States of India. It was established through The Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 1971.Odisha is the first state to make an act in 1970 but implement in 1983.[1][5]

Maharashtra Lokayukta
Agency overview
Formed1971[1]
Employees85[2]
Annual budget₹3.5 crore (US$490,000)[2]
Jurisdictional structure
Federal agencyIndia
Operations jurisdictionIndia
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersNew Administrative Building, 1st Floor, Madam Kama Marg, Opposite Mantralaya, Mumbai, India[3]
Agency executive
  • Justice PB Gaikwad[4], Lokayukta

No specific qualifications are prescribed in the States of Maharashtra, Bihar, and Rajasthan.

It is considered to be one of the weakest Lokayukta in India due to lack of powers, inadequate staff, inadequate funds and no independent investigating agency.[2][5][6][7][8]

okayukta. 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.[1]

Oath or affirmation

I, <name>, having been appointed Lokayuka (or Upa-Lokayukta) do swear in the name of God (or solemnly affirm) that I will bear faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my ability, knowledge and judgment perform the duties of my office without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

— First Schedule, The Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 1971

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.[1]

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.

See also

References
  1. "The Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 1971" (PDF). General Administration Department, Government of Maharashtra. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 6, 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  2. "Toothless Watch Dogs - Image file". India Today. February 11, 2012. Archived from the original on 12 February 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  3. "punedistrict.com - Vigilance". punedistrict.com. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  4. "Gaikwad sworn in Lokayukta". DNA. Jul 2, 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  5. "Lokayukta a 'paper tiger' in Anna's home state". The Times of India. Aug 18, 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  6. http://gad.maharashtra.gov.in/Sitemap/gad/pdf/LokAayuktaActEng.pdf
  7. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/maharashtra-lokayukta-received-1680-complaints-but-no-probe-rti/1058827
  8. Ravikiran Deshmukh (26 December 2011). "Let's look at Lokayukta for a change!". Mid-Day. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
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