Though eight months have elapsed since the Odisha lokayukta Bill got the nod from the President, the State Government is yet to appoint a lokayukta to check corruption at all levels.
President Pranab Mukherjee had approved the Bill on January 16 as per Article 254 (2) of the Indian Constitution. As per the rule, the State Government should have issued a gazette notification to execute the new lokayukta Act. However, no action has been taken till date.
Earlier, the Government had announced to implement the lokayukta Act in the State within 90 days of the Centre clearing the lokpal Act.
The Bill was passed by the Odisha legislative Assembly on February 14, 2014. Although, Odisha was the first to formulate laws for lokayukta system after the lokpal Act, delay in its execution has been resented by different quarters.
The Act empowers the lokayukta to probe graft charges against incumbent as well as former Chief Ministers, Ministers, MlAs, Government officers, heads of panchayats and municipalities and trusts receiving Government grants. Besides, NGOs, contractors (firm or persons) and suppliers dealing with Government money are also covered under the Act.
Prior to the present Act, a lokpal was assigned to address people's grievances. However, the post remained vacant after demise of former Odisha High Court Justice PK Patra in January 2013.
With the lokpal Justice Patra's death and replacement of the system, several cases that were pending at Patra's court have become stagnant.
As per the lokayukta Act, there would be a six-member lokayukta body. The Chairperson of the lokayukta will either be a sitting or former High Court Judge. The members would comprise at least two judicial members.
The Chief Minister would head the lokayukta selection committee which would have Assembly Speaker, leader of Opposition, Chief Justice of Odisha High Court or a Judge nominated by him and an eminent jurist nominated by the Governor as members.
The lokayukta will have the powers of superintendence and direction over any agency or investigating agency, including the State Vigilance or the Crime Branch of State Police.