JOIN USThe Odisha assembly on Friday passed the much awaited Lokayukta Bill, thus becoming the first state in the country to adopt an all-pervasive legislation even as its counterpart in Delhi staged a high voltage political drama over the same issue.
The Odisha Lokayukta Bill 2014, which intends to check corruption in public life, was unanimously passed after a marathon debate for two days. The legislators had brought in five amendments to the bill which was accepted by the government.
Under the Bill’s provisions, the incumbent chief minister, members of his council of ministers, former chief ministers and ministers, MLAs, chairpersons of municipalities, panchayat samitis, secretaries, directors and chairpersons of various government-run boards and corporations, contractors, supplying agencies, procurement farms, outsourcing agencies and
non-governmental organisations receiving public funds, besides all officials defined as public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act,1988 would come under the purview of the Lokayukta.
The anti-corruption watchdog will have one chairperson and five members. The head of the panel and two members will be from judicial background while three others will be non-judicial members.