Everything you want to know about Gujarat Lokayukta Bill 2013

Gandhinagar, DeshGujarat, 2 April 2013

Minister Nitin Patel today spoke in detail in Gujarat assembly about the new Lokayukta bill. Here are the main points from his speech, which gives idea of the bill:

-All office bearers of Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Panchayats are covered in new Lokayukta bill.

-All public servants working in government companies, board, corporation, universities, authorities, state government are covered in new bill.

-Those public servants who were not covered in earlier bill are also covered in this bill.

-All ministers and Chief Minister himself are covered under the purview of Lokayukta.

-Rs 300 crore grant of 13th finance commission is not progressing due to lack of Lokayukta coverage to local bodies.

-Lokayukta and not more than four UpLokayukts will be appointed by Governor on recommendation of a selection committee led by Chief Minister. This is as per the proposed Lokpal bill in centre.

-Lokayukta must be a Supreme Court Judge or Chief Justice of High Court, while UpLokayukta(Justice related) would be a person who was High Court Judge, while UpLokayukta(administrative) would be a person having experience in administrative and semi-law affairs who previously worked as Government of India’s secretary or additional secretary or Government of Gujarat’s Chief Secretary or Additional Chief Secretary. As per the bill, minimum half UpLokayukt should be Justice related, and others would be administrative members.

-The selection committee had six members. Chief Minister will head the selection body. Others; Gujarat Assembly Speaker, one minister selected by Chief Minister, leader of opposition, one High court judge selected by Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, and state vigilance commissioner.

-There’s a provision of formation of search committee that can help the selection committee to make a list of suitable candidates.

-The bill gives respect to Governor’s opinion expressed earlier while returning the earlier version of bill.

-Lokayukta Ayog will be able to take services of any officer or government after consultation with the state government.

-When there’s some serious case, Lokayukta Ayog will be able to declare that such and such person should not continue. In such cases, concerned authority will take decision in that regard within six months.

-Pending procedure of present Lokayukta, or whatever findings of his probe will be continued by succeeding Lokayukta.

-Appointment of Lokayukta, already appointed as per the outgoing law will continue.

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