Power of Lokayukta

The power of Lokayukta are discussining below:

• In states like Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat the chief minister is included within the jurisdiction of Lokayukta while he is exempted from the purview of Lokayukta in the states of Orissa, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
• Ministers and higher public servants are also included under the ambit of Lokayukta in almost all the states.
• It has the power to raid on the houses and offices of corrupt officials at state level.
• It can call for relevant files and documents from the state government departments.
• It also enjoys the power to inspect and visit government organisations, which are being investigated.
• Lokayukta may investigate any action taken by the public servant if it is referred by the state government.
• It has the authority to suggest punishment against the culprit to the administration, but it is up to the state to either accept the suggestions or modify them.

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 aims to establish the institution of the Lokpal at the Central level and Lokayukta at the state level. The sustainability of any democracy depends on the trust between the public and the public institutions, that is why it becomes paramount to hold these public functionaries accountable. The setting up of two special institutional commands namely, ‘Lokpal‘ and ‘Lokayukta‘ for redressing citizens’ grievances against the administration was recommended by The First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) of India (1966-1970) on the pattern of the institution of Ombudsman in Scandinavian Countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway).