The Lokpal And Lokayuktas Act In India: From Legislation To Implementation
- IJLLR Journal
- 7 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Dr. Shreemanshu Kumar Dash, National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi
Risha Burman, National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi
ABSTRACT
This study highlights the significance of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act as a significant measure taken by the Indian government to curb corruption and increase the accountability of public servants. The Act was passed in 2013 after strong public pressure, across the country protests, and the Anna Hazare movement that demanded a strong and independent anti-corruption body. The paper studies how the Lokpal (at the central level) and Lokayuktas (at the state level) are meant to work, what powers they hold, and how they help citizens fight corruption.
The paper emphasizes that despite the Act's good intentions, there are still a lot of issues. Several states have not established Lokayuktas, and even if they exist, they often do not have enough staff, funds, or independence. The Lokpal was appointed very late in 2019 at the central level, and some positions are still open today. This slows down investigations and reduces people’s trust in the system. Another problem is that the Lokpal depends heavily on other investigating agencies, like the CBI, for investigations, which weakens its independence.
The study also illustrates that many citizens are still unaware of how to file complaints or use the Lokpal system. Furthermore, the lack of adequate protection for those who expose corruption i.e whistleblower deters them from coming forward. By comparing India’s anti-corruption system with other countries, the paper explains how stricterlaws, faster appointments, and better protection for complainants can improve transparency and accountability.
The paper concludes that while the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act is an important milestone in history but still more reforms are needed. The system must be strengthened through timely appointments, more resources, greater independence and autonomy, strong whistleblower protection, and regular public reporting. If these advancements are made, India can build a more trustworthy and corruption-free governance system.
Keywords: Lokpal, Lokayuktas, Corruption, Ombudsman, CBI, Anti- corruption.
