Maharashtra Assembly has passed the Lokayukta Bill 2022, which brings the Chief Minister and council of ministers under the ambit of the anti-corruption ombudsman.
Cabinet minister Deepak Kesarkar introduced the bill, which seeks to bring the chief minister and the cabinet under the ambit of the anti-corruption ombudsman.
The Lokyuktas were set up in several states while Maharashtra was one of the first states to establish an anti-corruption body through an Act in 1971.
Maharashtra’s new bill empowers the Lokayukta to investigate both the chief minister and the council of ministers.
Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta Act, 1971, is currently in force in the state and under the existing law, the anti-corruption ombudsman could only recommend action against government officials.
Under Maharashtra’s new bill, bureaucrats will also fall under the Lokayukta’s ambit.
