Lokayukta passed without any discussion
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 27 2014 :
Altogether four Bills including Manipur Lokayukta Bill, 2014 were passed by the House during the ongoing 7th Session of 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
The other three Bills passed by the House were Manipur Public Service Commission (Additional Functions) Bill, 2014; Manipur Municipalities (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2014; and Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2014 .
The Lokayukta Bill was moved by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi for passage in the House.
Notably, the "Ombudsman" Bill got passed unanimously without any discussion in the House.
According to the Manipur Lokayukta Bill, a body called "Manipur Lokayukta" would be established from the commencement of this Act.
The body should consist of a Chairperson and two members.
The Chairperson of Lokayukta should be a person who is or has been a Chief Justice or Judge of a High Court.
Of the two members, one should be a judicial member while the other member an expert with not less than 25 years of experience in the matters relating to anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance and finance.
The Chairperson and Members of Lokayukta should be appointed by the Governor after obtaining the recommendations of a Selection Committee compromising Chief Minister, Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, Chief Justice of Manipur High Court and an eminent jurist.
The tenure of the Chairperson and Members of Lokayukta would be of five years.
However, there are certain restrictions on employment by Chairperson and Members after ceasing to hold office.
They would be ineligible for reappointment to Lokayukta; diplomatic assignment and appointment; further employment to any other office of profit under the Central and State Governments; and contesting parliamentary elections within a period of five years from the date of relinquishing the post.
The Lokayukta would be composed of an Inquiry Wing and a Prosecution Wing to be headed by a Director in each of the Wings.
The jurisdiction of the Lokayukta to inquire cases/allegations of corruption would include the Chief Minister, Ministers, MLAs, officers and officials of State Government.