The Governor has sent the Odisha lokayukta Bill, 2014, which was passed in the Assembly in February last, to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent.
The Bill, introduced in the Assembly on February 12 this year, was unanimously passed after a two-day discussion. The Bill has provisions similar to that of the Central Act which was passed in the Parliament in December, 2013.
As per the provisions of the Bill, the incumbent as well as former Chief Ministers, Ministers, MlAs, Government officers, heads of panchayats and municipalities and trusts receiving Government grants will come under the purview of the lokayukta who is empowered to probe graft charges.