Centre invites applications for various posts in Lokpal

A month after Parliament passed the Lokpal Bill, the Centre on Saturday invited applications for appointment to the post of Chairperson and eight members of the anti-corruption ombudsman.

Of the eight members, four are reserved for judicial members. A senior official said a letter seeking nominations of eligible officers has been sent to the Registrars of the Supreme Court and high courts. The Centre has also written to the chief secretaries of state governments. It has set February 7 as the deadline for submitting the application.

The Lokpal Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 18, 2013, a day after the Rajya Sabha cleared it. On New Year Day, President Pranab Mukherjee signed the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill .

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, provides for the establishment of a Lokpal for the Union and Lokayuktas for the states to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries. It has under its purview even the prime minister, albeit with certain safeguards. The Act provides for a chairperson and up to eight members for the Lokpal.

The bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 4, 2011, by V Narayanasamy, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. It was passed by the Lower House at the fag end of the winter session of 2011. However, the Rajya Sabha could not approve the bill as the House was adjourned before a vote could be taken.