Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013

Why in news ?
The supreme court has asked the centre to file an affidavit in next 10 days, detailing the steps taken by government to appoint a Lokpal.

Development so far In Lokpal appointment
Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 was passed in 2014, but is not implemented yet because the act has a provision of having the leader of opposition in the Lokpal selection committee.

There was no Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the 16th Lok Sabha and hence centre kept on saying that in absence of LoP 'lokpal selection committee' is incomplete and that is delaying the Lokpal appointment.

Centre also suggested that in order to go ahead with the act, the act has to be amended to replace "Leader of opposition" in selection committee with leader of "single largest Opposition party". However in April 2017, SC clarifies that the ACT can be implemented in its present form without any amendment, and appointment process need not be stalled just because of the absence of the LoP.

Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013

Lokpal and Lokayukta Act was introduced in parliament in 2013, and was passed in 2014 after a long detailed discussion, the act is one of the most discussed act of Indian Parliament.

The ACT is an anti corruption act for the establishment of an institution of Lokpal to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for matters connecting them.

The act extends to whole of India, including Jammu & Kashmir and is applicable to "public servants" within and outside India. The act mandates for creation of Lokpal for Union and Lokayukta for states.

Lokpal is a multi member body consisting of a Chairman and a maximum of 8 other members. Out of the maximum eight members, half should be judicial members and there must be at least 50% members from SC/ST/OBC and Women. The chairman and other members has to be appointed by President on the recommendation of a selection committee, the selection committee consists of following members:

1) Prime Minister (Chairperson)
2) Speaker of Lok Sabha
3) Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
4) Chief Justice of India or a Judge nominated by him / her
5) One eminent jurist

The term of office for Lokpal Chairman and Members is 5 years or till attaining age of 70 years. The source of salary for Lokpal and Members is Consolidated Fund of India.