Maharashtra Govt to Table Lokayukta Bill; CM and Cabinet to Come Within Ambit of Law

The recommendations of a panel led by activist Anna Hazare have been accepted completely, Devendra Fadnavis said.

Nagpur: Maharashtra will have a Lokayukta law on the lines of the Union government’s Lokpal law which will also bring chief minister and ministers under its ambit, Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday, December 18. Chief minister Eknath Shinde was also present at the announcement.

The Lokpal was established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, to inquire and investigate into allegations of corruption against public functionaries who fall within the scope and ambit of the Act.

Addressing a press conference on the eve of the winter session of the state legislature, Fadnavis said a bill in this regard will be introduced.

The recommendations of a panel led by social activist Anna Hazare have been accepted completely, he said. The 2013 Lokpal legislation came about after a protracted public agitation featuring Hazare.

He said the Lokayukta will be a retired chief justice of the high court or a retired judge of the Supreme Court.

“The chief minister will be brought under the ambit of Lokayukta and so will the ministers (of the state Cabinet),” Fadnavis added.

(With PTI inputs)