Lokpal: The institution is useful but its design is not thought through | The Indian Express

Lokpal: The institution is useful but its design is not thought through | The Indian Express

Written by RC Iyer |Updated: March 25, 2019 7:18:26 am

The writer is former Upalokayukta, Maharashtra.

Lokpal: The institution is useful but its design is not thought through

More importantly, what is indeed not adequately appreciated in the fierce anti-corruption debate, which will continue with greater intensity in the election season, is that this Act is only applicable to “public servants” who come within the purview of the Union of India and not the states.

Retired Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose is India’s first Lokpal. (Source: Supreme Court website)

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 came into existence on January 1, 2014. It extends to the whole of India and applies to “public servants” as defined in the Act, which includes the incumbent prime minister and Union ministers. Past public servants can also be investigated. This “landmark” law followed prolonged public debates on issues related to corruption, and several demonstrations, including by activists such as Anna Hazare. Some politicians like Arvind Kejriwal, who had supported the enactment, later stated that what was actually enacted was a “Jokepal Act”.