Uttarakhand State Cabinet Cleared Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill, 2011

Uttarakhand state cabinet on 29 October 2011 cleared Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill, 2011 with the objective of curbing corruption in the state. The Chief Minister of the state, all ministers, MLAs and lower judiciary will be under the purview of Lokayukta. It is important to note that judges of the Uttarakhand High Court will not be covered under the purview of Lokayukta. Former chief ministers, former ministers and retired officers will also be within the purview of the Lokayukta.

The Features of Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill
As per the bill, the Lokayukta will have a chairperson and five members. The number of members could be increased to seven as per the requirement. The bill envisioned that the members of Lokayukta should have legal background and should possess integrity and outstanding ability. The term of the chairperson of the Lokayukta would be of five years or upto the age of 70 years whichever is earlier.

The bill says that once the investigations are over, the chargesheet will be filed by the Lokayukta in a special court set up under the Prevention of Corruption Act for a speedy trial. The bill further adds that the period of investigation should not exceed twelve months. The Lokayukta will be empowered to recommend punishment of dismissal, removal or demotion against government servants after giving them full opportunity of being heard. The recommendation will be binding on the appointing or disciplinary authority of the government. For any act of corruption, the punishment will not be less than six months of rigorous imprisonment and could be extended upto 10-year imprisonment. In the rarest of rare case, the punishment could be extended upto life imprisonment.