Lokayukta Bill passed in Bihar Assembly

The Speaker of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha and Chairman of the Legislative Council, besides legislators and former legislators, will also come under its purview. Once the bill is passed by the other House too, and is eventually okayed by the Governor, the existing Bihar Lokayukta Act 1973 will become infructuous.

The new Lokayukta bill will also have public servants, employees of the government and corporations or organisations receiving government grants, under its scanner. The three-member Lokayukta will have at least two members from the judiciary. Its chairperson and members shall be of impeccable integrity, outstanding ability having special knowledge and professional experience of not less than 25 years in public affairs, administrative law and policy, academics, commerce and industry, law, finance or management.

As per the provisions, the term of the chairperson and members would be five years from the date of assuming office.  However, the Governor will have the right to suspend the chairperson or any other member from office on the ground of misbehaviour after the Supreme Court agrees on a reference being made to it by the Governor.

The chairperson or members shall be ineligible for re-appointment or further employment with any other office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of the state.

The bone of contention, however, was the selection committee, for which the Opposition wanted an amendment.  But brushing aside their demand, the bill, which will now have the Legislative Council Chairman, Assembly Speaker, two judges and a Lokayukta in the five-member selection committee, was passed by voice-vote.