Lokpal is an ombudsman appointed to work on citizens complaints and grievances regarding corruption at the central level. On the other hand, at the state level, Lokayukta is set up to take action against the corruption complaints made by the residents of the state.
Corruption, in simple terms, refers to the unauthorized use of public power, typically by a public servant or by an elected politician. It is a dishonest act, which is not permitted in the eyes of law. Many countries have established an anti-corruption body, to eradicate corruption, which was initiated for the first time, in Sweden. In India, on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), bodies like Lokpal and Lokayukta are set up under Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013.
The article excerpt might help you in understanding the difference between Lokayukta and Lokpal.
Content: Lokayukta Vs Lokpal
Comparison Chart
Basis for Comparison | Lokayukta | Lokpal |
---|---|---|
Meaning | Lokayukta is the body operating at state level, set up to investigate individual's complaints against public servants or any politician with respect to corruption. | Lokpal is the body operating at central level, established to investigate the civil servant or politician, against the corruption complaint lodged by any person. |
Jurisdiction | All the members of legislative assembly and state government employees. | All the members of Parliament and central government employees. |
Appointment | Governor | President |
Members | It is a three member body. | It comprise of a maximum of eight members. |
Definition of Lokayukta
Lokayukta can be understood as an independent anti-corruption statutory body established in states, to fight against corruption. On the receipt of any complaint regarding corruption or bribery of the public official working at the state level, members of legislative assembly or ministers etc. Lokayukta comes into the picture, to deal with it and investigate the case thoroughly.
Even before the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 was enacted in the country, many states have already set up Lokayukta for combating corruption, of which Maharashtra was the pioneer state.
The composition of Lokayukta is different in different states of the country. Lokayukta is the head of the body who can be the Judge of the Supreme Court or Chief Justice/Judge of the High Court. Moreover, there is an Uplokayukt, who can be a Judge of High court or any central or state government employee whose scale of pay is greater than or equal to Additional Secretary to the Government of India.
The Governor of the concerned state appoints both Lokayukta and Uplokayukta for a period of six years.
Definition of Lokpal
Lokpal is an anti-corruption institution formed under the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013. The institution works as a government body to investigate and enquire the bribery and corruption complaints of a public official, ministers and secretaries to the government and all the matters related to it.
All the central government employees whether working in and outside the country are covered in the purview of Lokpal. Along with that, members of the Parliament and the Union are also covered in its scope. Indeed the present and former Prime Minister are also covered in its purview, subject to certain conditions are satisfied.
Lokpal comprises of a Chairperson and several other members, whose strength should not exceed eight members, of which 50% shall be judicial members and 50% shall be from SC/ST/OBC, minorities and women. The Chairperson can be the ex-Chief Justice of India, or an ex-Judge of Supreme Court or a judicial member, who have good knowledge and expertise of more than 25 years in public administration, anti-corruption, vigilance etc.
The Lokpal is appointed by the President of India, after consulting with the Chief Justice of India, Speaker of the House of People (Lok Sabha) and Chairman of the House of States (Rajya Sabha).
Key Differences Between Lokayukta and Lokpal
The point given below clarifies the difference between Lokayukta and Lokpal:
- Lokpal refers to a statutory organization, formed by the government to address complaints lodged by the citizens regarding corrupted public servants, ministers and government secretaries, working at the central level, to investigate the case and conduct trials. On the other hand, Lokayukta is a similar body like Lokpal formed by the state government to deal with corruption, by enquiring the public servant against the allegations and conducting trials of the cases.
- All the state government employees, members of legislative assembly, other ministers and secretaries to the government are covered under the purview of Lokayukta. In contrast, in the jurisdiction of Lokpal, all the public servants are covered. Along with that the Members of Parliament, ministers and other politicians, secretaries to the government also comes in its scope.
- A Lokayukta works at state-level, the appointment of Chairperson is done by the Governor. As against, the President appoints the Chairperson in case of Lokpal.
- Lokpal is a multimember government body, with a Chairman and several other members. However, the total number of members shall not exceed eight members. Conversely, a Lokayukta is a three-member body, including a Lokayukta, State Vigilance Commissioner and a jurist.
Conclusion
The main objective of these two institutions is to combat corruption. It is not just to punish those who perform public services for private gain, but also to expose them publicly. These bodies deal with the complaints against the administrative acts of the public servants, ministers and secretaries to the government.
Binosh says
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Advocate Chacko Mattathil says
Thanks a lot for the detail explanations regarding Lokpal and Lokayukta. Really doubts are cleared
Nidzi says
Thanks… This matter is literally very useful. The way of defining everything is superb
I got a lot of matter for discussion for debate.
Prof A.K.PAUL says
Rich material.