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{{Short description|Parliamentary Ombudsman for the state of Punjab}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}
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'''Punjab Lokayukta''' is the [[Parliamentary Ombudsman]] for the Indian state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]. It is a high-level statutory functionary, created to address grievances of the public against ministers, legislators, administration and public servants in issues related to misuse of power, mal-administration and corruption. It was first formed under the Punjab Lokpal Act-1996, and approved by the [[president of India]]. [[The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013]] adopted by [[Parliament of India|Parliament]] had come into force from 16 January 2014 and required each state in India to appoint its [[Lokayukta]] within a year.<ref name="Bihar Lok Ref3">{{cite news |last1=Seetharaman |first1=G. |title=Delay in appointment of Lokpal & Lokayukta: Who will bell the graft? |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/why-there-is-no-lokpal-at-centre-and-lokayukta-in-many-states/articleshow/66570168.cms |access-date=5 September 2021 |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=10 November 2018}}</ref><ref name="Bihar Lok Ref4">{{cite news |title=Lok Sabha passes landmark Lokpal Bill |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/lok-sabha-passes-landmark-lokpal-bill/article20701403.ece1 |access-date=5 September 2021 |publisher=businessline |date=12 March 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The law mandated that a bench of Lokayukta should consist of judicial and non-judicial members.<ref name="Bihar Lok Ref5">{{cite news |title=Only four states have appointed judicial, non-judicial members of Lokayukta, says report |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/only-four-states-have-appointed-judicial-non-judicial-members-of-lokayukta-says-report/articleshow/79627314.cms?from=mdr |access-date=5 September 2021 |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=8 December 2020}}</ref> An Upa-Lokayukta is a deputy to the Lokayukta<ref name="Hary Lok Ref1">{{cite news |title=No provision of advertising vacancies of Lokayukta: MP Govt |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/no-provision-of-advertising-vacancies-of-lokayukta-mp-govt/articleshow/50742053.cms |access-date=12 September 2021 |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=27 January 2016}}</ref> and assists in her or his work and acts as the in-charge Lokayukta in case the position falls vacant before time.

A [[Lokayukta]] of the state is appointed to office by the state [[Governor]] after consulting the committee consisting of State [[Chief Minister]], [[Speaker (politics)|Speaker]] of Legislative Assembly, [[Leader of Opposition]],<ref name="Hary Lok Ref1" /> or leader of largest opposition party in State Legislature, Chairman of Legislative Council and Leader of Opposition of Legislative Council and cannot be removed from office except for reasons specified in the Act and will serve the period of five years.

== History and administration ==

Punjab Lokayukta Bill 2020 was introduced and passed by Punjab Council of Ministers headed by state Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref1">{{cite news |last1=Verma |first1=Sanjeev |title=Punjab cabinet approves new Lokayukta Bill {{!}} Chandigarh News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/punjab-cabinet-approves-new-lokayukta-bill/articleshow/74440268.cms |access-date=18 September 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=2 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Punjab Lok Ref2">{{cite news |title=Punjab cabinet okays Lokayukta Bill; CM, ministers within ambit |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/punjab-cabinet-okays-lokayukta-bill-cm-ministers-within-ambit/story-AzX08nC16f3tPz84oSFLzH.html |access-date=18 September 2021 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=2 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The new bill will replace the current Punjab Lokpal Act, 1996.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref5">{{cite news |title=Punjab govt okays Lokayukta Bill |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/punjab-govt-okays-lokayukta-bill-49878 |access-date=18 September 2021 |publisher=Tribuneindia News Service |date=2 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Punjab Lok Ref11">{{cite news |title=Punjab to bring Lokayukta Bill in Budget session |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/mar/02/punjab-to-bring-lokayukta-bill-in-budget-session-2111101.html |access-date=18 September 2021 |newspaper=The New Indian Express |date=2 March 2020}}</ref> The revised bill has been drafted to enhance the efficiency of governanace and prevent corruption.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref1" /> The institution which has powers of civil code under [[Code of Civil Procedure (India)|Code of Civil Procedure,1908]] had been created as autonomous body and will enquire any complaint of corruption or abuse of office against Public functionaries.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref6">{{cite news |title=Punjab Cabinet Approves The Lokayukta Bill-2020 |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/punjab-cabinet-approves-the-lokayukta-bill-2020-4993271.html |access-date=18 September 2021 |publisher=Moneycontrol |date=2 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Any person filing false complaints under it will be prosecuted.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref1" /> However, sanctioning of prosecution against Chief Minister, Ministers and MLA's can be possible after 2/3rd members in State Assembly present and vote in favour of it.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref1" /> Additionally, Lokayukta will be bound by sanctions approved in State Assembly irrespective of permission for prosecution had been granted or not. A screening committee of institution will scrutinise the complaints received by it and take State Government opinion before issuing notice.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref1" />

The revised bill does not favour a parallel probe into the same complaint by any other agency against the Government or Public official if Lokpal is conducting an investigation of the same.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref1" /> Additionally if the Government is investigating any complaint the same case can't be handled by Lokayukta.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref9">{{cite news |title=Punjab Cabinet approves Lokayukta Bill |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/punjab-cabinet-approves-lokayukta-bill-120030200843_1.html |access-date=18 September 2021 |newspaper=Business Standard India |date=2 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="Punjab Lok Ref8" /> The bill provides for a Lokpal to be a serving or retired judge of High Court or Supreme Court as Chairperson.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref10">{{cite news |title=Punjab Cabinet Approves Lokayukta Bill; CM, Ministers in Watchdog's Ambit |url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/punjab-cabinet-approves-lokayukta-bill-cm-ministers-in-watchdogs-ambit-2522657.html |access-date=18 September 2021 |publisher=News18 |date=2 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Punjab Lok Ref1" /> State Government can appoint more than four persons with undisputable reputation who are qualified to be members, provided one among them is either women or from minorities or scheduled castes or from the backward classes.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref1" />

== Oath or affirmation ==

{{Quotation|"I, <name>, having been appointed Lokayukta (or Upa-Lokayukta) do swear in the name of God (or solemnly affirm) that I will bear faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my ability, knowledge and judgment perform the duties of my office without fear or favour, affection or ill-will."|First Schedule, Punjab Lokpal Act-1996}}

== Powers ==

Punjab Lokayukta has complete and exclusive authority for enquiring into allegations or complaints against the State Chief Minister, State Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers of the state Government, Mayors of cities, Leader of Opposition, non-officials and Government officials.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref1" /><ref name="Punjab Lok Ref4">{{cite news |title=Punjab Cabinet nod for Lokayukta bill covering CM |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/punjab-cabinet-nod-for-lokayukta-bill-covering-cm/article30964129.ece |access-date=18 September 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=2 March 2020 |language=en-IN}}</ref>
The institution has powers to investigate and prosecute any government official or public servants who are covered by the act and abuses his authority for his self-interest or causes hurt to anyone or any action done intentionally or following corrupt practices negatively impacting the state or individual.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref7">{{cite news |title=Punjab Clears Lokayukta Bill To Stop Misuse Of Anti-Corruption Watchdog |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/punjab-clears-lokayukta-bill-to-stop-misuse-of-anti-corruption-watchdog-2188745 |access-date=18 September 2021 |publisher=NDTV.com |date=2 March 2020}}</ref>

== Appointment and tenure ==

Punjab Lokayukta is Justice Vinod Kumar Sharma<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref12">{{cite news |last1=Verma |first1=Sanjeev |title=Justice VK Sharma is new Punjab Lokpal {{!}} Chandigarh News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/justice-vk-sharma-is-new-punjab-lokpal/articleshow/71446017.cms |access-date=18 September 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=4 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Punjab Lok Ref1" /> who will head the anti-corruption organisation in the state with a term of six years from 9 October 2019 or reaching of the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. He retired as a judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court. The post was vacant for two years from 23 April 2018 after the previous Lokpal after the resignation of Justice Satish Kumar Mittal.
Punjab Lokayukta Chairperson will be appointed by Governor along with other members who are recommended by a committee headed by Chief Minister and other members being
Speaker of Assembly and Opposition Leader in Assembly, or elected leader of the largest opposition party in the Assembly, a person who is prominent jurist recommended by State Government and Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref1" /><ref name="Punjab Lok Ref8">{{cite news |title=Punjab: New Lokayukta Bill gets Cabinet nod, CM, ministers in ambit |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-new-lokayukta-bill-gets-cabinet-nod-cm-ministers-in-ambit-6295962/ |access-date=18 September 2021 |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=2 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

== Notable cases ==

In 2021, Punjab Lokayukta on a complaint filed ordered an enquiry in a case relating to the illegal occupation of 12 acres of land in Kapurthala District worth Rs 100 crores by SGPC former president Bibi Jagir Kaur.<ref name="Punjab Lok Ref3">{{cite news |title=Punjab Lokayukta Orders Probe Against Jagir Kaur, Badal |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/punjab-lokayukta-orders-probe-against-jagir-kaur-badal-10314.html |access-date=18 September 2021 |publisher=indiatvnews.com |date=30 August 2011 |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==

*[[Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013|Lokpal and Lokayukta Act 2013]]
*[[Goa Lokayukta]]
*[[Karnataka Lokayukta]]
*[[Haryana Lokayukta]]
*[[Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta]]
*[[Delhi Lokayukta]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.example.com www.example.com]

{{Lokayukta}}



[[Category:Lokayuktas]]
[[Category:Government of Punjab, India]]

Punjab Lokayukta - Revision history

MyronMccreary8 at 03:01, 7 August 2025