Bhubaneswar: Odisha on Friday became the first state in the country to pass the much-awaited Lokayukta Bill-2014, after the Parliament enacted the Lokpal Act in December last and got Presidential assent in January.
The Bill, similar to that of the Central Act has provision of keeping Chief Minister, ex-Chief Ministers, other ministers and public servants under the purview of a six-member anti-corruption panel.
The Assembly which was extended by a day on Thursday to discuss the Bill, witnessed bedlam as the Opposition Congress and the treasury bench members exchanged bitter arguments and the former sticking to bring Crime Branch (EOW) & Vigilance under the purview of Lokayukta.
However the same was accepted by the House after an amendment to the Draft Bill.
Besides, the House unanimously agreed to raise the minimum age of the chairman and members of the anti-corruption commission from 45 years to 50, on the date of assuming office.
The Lokayukta shall consist of a chairperson, who is or has been a chief justice of a High Court or a judge of a High Court or an 'eminent person', and five members, of whom two shall be judicial members.
Of the three non-judicial members, one must be from scheduled caste/scheduled tribe, minority community or a woman, the House agreed. This will be on a rotation basis.
The new Bill envisages, the chairperson or a member shall not hold any office of trust or profit or shall not be connected with any political party and shall not carry on any business or profession.
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 into graft charges.
The Lokayukta will be chosen by a selection committee headed by the chief minister and comprising other members including the Leader of the Opposition, speaker of the Odisha legislative assembly, Chief Justice of Odisha High Court or a judge nominated by him and an eminent jurist nominated by the Governor.
The chairman of the Lokayukta would be appointed by the Governor on the recommendations of the selection committee.
For conduct of preliminary inquiry into any offence alleged to have been committed by a public servant, the Lokayukta will constitute an enquiry wing headed by Director of enquiry not below the rank of under secretary.
Also for prosecution of public servants, the anti- corruption commission may constitute a prosecution wing headed by Director, prosecution. Expenses of Lokayukta would be charged on the consolidated fund of the state.