<p>Notwithstanding the ruckus over Lokpal and Lokayukta issues in Parliament, a new Lokayukta Act has come into force in Bihar after Governor Devanand Konwar gave his assent to the Bill.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Earlier, the Lokayukta was just an individual, now it is an institution. And according to the provisions of the Act, incumbent Lokayukta Chandra Mohan Prasad has been re-designated Chairman/Chief Lokayukta. However, the two other Lokayuktas in the three-member panel are yet to be appointed. The new legislation covers a wide spectrum of officials ranging from the chief minister, ministers, legislators, Speaker of the State Assembly, Chairman of the Legislative Council, former chief minister to employees of corporations and organisations receiving government grants. <br /><br />The two Lokayuktas will be chosen by a 5-member selection committee comprising Chairman of the Legislative Council, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, two senior judges of the Patna High Court nominated by the Chief Justice and the outgoing Lokayukta.<br /><br />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. The appointment has to be made by the Governor on the recommendation of the selection panel. <br /><br />Incidentally, there is no provision of reservation in the appointment of Lokayukta.<br /><br />The term of the chairperson and members would be five years. 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.<br /><br />The chairperson or members will be ineligible for re-appointment or further employment with any other office of profit under the Government of India or the state government.<br /><br /><br /> <br /> </p>
<p>Notwithstanding the ruckus over Lokpal and Lokayukta issues in Parliament, a new Lokayukta Act has come into force in Bihar after Governor Devanand Konwar gave his assent to the Bill.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Earlier, the Lokayukta was just an individual, now it is an institution. And according to the provisions of the Act, incumbent Lokayukta Chandra Mohan Prasad has been re-designated Chairman/Chief Lokayukta. However, the two other Lokayuktas in the three-member panel are yet to be appointed. The new legislation covers a wide spectrum of officials ranging from the chief minister, ministers, legislators, Speaker of the State Assembly, Chairman of the Legislative Council, former chief minister to employees of corporations and organisations receiving government grants. <br /><br />The two Lokayuktas will be chosen by a 5-member selection committee comprising Chairman of the Legislative Council, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, two senior judges of the Patna High Court nominated by the Chief Justice and the outgoing Lokayukta.<br /><br />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. The appointment has to be made by the Governor on the recommendation of the selection panel. <br /><br />Incidentally, there is no provision of reservation in the appointment of Lokayukta.<br /><br />The term of the chairperson and members would be five years. 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.<br /><br />The chairperson or members will be ineligible for re-appointment or further employment with any other office of profit under the Government of India or the state government.<br /><br /><br /> <br /> </p>
