# Lokayukta
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{{Short description|Anti-corruption ombudsman organization in the Indian states}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
The '''Lokayukta''' (also '''Lok Ayukta'''; ''lokāyukta'', "civil commissioner''"'') is an Indian [Parliamentary Ombudsman](/source/Parliamentary_Ombudsman) who may be appointed for each of the [State](/source/States_and_union_territories_of_India) Governments of [India](/source/India). The role was introduced by the [Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013](/source/The_Lokpal_and_Lokayuktas_Act%2C_2013) to quickly address the working of the government or its administration (public servants). Once appointed, a Lokayukta cannot be dismissed or transferred by the government, and can only be removed if the state assembly adopts an impeachment motion.[{{cite web |last1=Editor |first1=Insights |title=Lokayukta |url=https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/08/25/lokayukta/ |website=INSIGHTSIAS |access-date=16 July 2021 |date=25 August 2020}}][{{cite web |url=http://lokayukta.kar.nic.in |title=Karnataka Lokayukta|access-date= 2010-06-24 |publisher=[National Informatics Center](/source/National_Informatics_Center)}}][{{cite web|url=http://lokayukta.kar.nic.in/acts.htm|title=Karnataka Anti-Corruption Laws (Acts)|access-date=2010-06-24|publisher=[National Informatics Center](/source/National_Informatics_Center)|archive-date=19 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819181031/http://lokayukta.kar.nic.in/acts.htm|url-status=dead}}][{{cite news | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/karnataka-speaker-accepts-impeachment-motion-against-lokayukta/ | title= Karnataka: Speaker accepts impeachment motion against Lokayukta | date=24 November 2015 | newspaper=The Indian Express | access-date=13 March 2019 }}]
The Lokayukta mainly publicizes [corruption](/source/corruption) among politicians and [government officials](/source/Official).[{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/a-watchdog-without-teeth/639851/0|title=A watchdog without teeth |date=29 June 2010 |access-date= 2010-06-30 |publisher=[Indian Express](/source/Indian_Express)}}] Many acts of the Lokayukta have resulted in criminal or other consequences for those charged.[{{cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_fed-up-with-corruption-karnataka-lokayukta-santosh-hegde-resigns_1400381 |title=Fed up with corruption, Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde resigns|access-date= 2010-06-24 |work=[Daily News and Analysis](/source/Daily_News_and_Analysis)|date=23 June 2010}}]
==Appointment==
A Lokayukta is appointed by the [Governor](/source/Governor) of the [State](/source/State_and_union_territory), through nomination by its [Chief Minister](/source/Chief_Minister) (in consensus with [Chief justice](/source/Chief_justice) of the State [High Court](/source/High_Court), [Leaders of the Opposition](/source/Leader_of_the_Opposition) in the Legislative Assembly, and Legislative Council, [Speaker](/source/Speaker_(politics)) of the [Legislative Assembly](/source/Legislative_Assembly) and Chairman of the Legislative Council). Once appointed, the Lokayukta cannot be dismissed nor transferred by the government, and can only be removed by passing an impeachment motion by the state assembly.[{{cite news |title=Decks for appointment of Lokayukta cleared |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/decks-for-appointment-of-lokayukta-cleared/article28726500.ece |access-date=26 August 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=27 July 2019 |language=en-IN}}] In most states, the term of a Lokayukta is five years or until they attain 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.[{{Cite web |title=LOK AYUKTA ACT – KERALA LOK AYUKTA |url=https://www.lokayuktakerala.gov.in/lok-ayukta-act/ |access-date=2025-06-08 |language=en-US}}]
==History==
{{prose|section|date=December 2021}}
In October 1966, the [Administrative Reforms Commission](/source/Administrative_Reforms_Commission), led by [Morarji Desai](/source/Morarji_Desai), submitted an interim report to the Prime Minister.[{{cite news |date=12 July 2010 |title=What is a Lokayukta? |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/what-is-a-lokayukta-423575 |access-date=15 August 2021 |publisher=NDTV.com}}] It recommended the establishment of a Lokayukta in each state to address citizens' grievances and improve public administration.[{{Cite web |title=Karnataka Lokayukta |url=https://lokayukta.kar.nic.in/aboutus.php |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=lokayukta.kar.nic.in}}] At the time, existing mechanisms, such as courts and departmental authorities were considered inadequate for tackling corruption and misconduct by public officials.
Based on the recommendation, the [Government of India](/source/Government_of_India) introduced a bill in 1968 to create the institutions of the Lokayukta in the states and [Lokpal](/source/Lokpal) at the national level, modeled after the [Ombudsman Institution](/source/Ombudsman_Institution). Although the bill passed in the [Lok Sabha](/source/Lok_Sabha), it did not pass in the [Rajya Sabha](/source/Rajya_Sabha). Despite this, the proposal inspired several states to enact their own Lokayukta laws, although the provisions varied widely.
[Maharashtra](/source/Maharashtra) became the first [state](/source/States_of_India) to formally establish the institution with the Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act of 1971. This was soon followed by similar legislation in several other states ([Odisha](/source/Odisha), [Rajasthan](/source/Rajasthan), [Bihar](/source/Bihar), [Uttar Pradesh](/source/Uttar_Pradesh_Lokayukta), [Karnataka](/source/Karnataka_Lokayukta), [Madhya Pradesh](/source/Madhya_Pradesh), [Andhra Pradesh](/source/Andhra_Pradesh), [Gujarat](/source/Gujarat), [Kerala](/source/Kerala), [Tamil Nadu](/source/Tamil_Nadu)) and the union territory of [Delhi](/source/Delhi).
In the state of [Haryana](/source/Haryana), activist Naresh Kadyan filed a public interest litigation and later a contempt of court petition due to the government's failure to appoint a Lokayukta.[{{cite web |title=Lokayukta |url=https://lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/Home/Index.aspx |access-date=16 July 2021 |website=lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in}}][{{cite news |date=20 December 2015 |title=Maharashtra yet to implement 2013 Lokayukta Act: RTI |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/maharashtra-yet-to-implement-2013-lokayukta-act-rti/articleshow/50255646.cms |access-date=11 July 2021 |publisher=The Economic Times}}]
However, the powers and responsibilities of the Lokayuktas still differed from state to state, prompting efforts to standardize them. To address the lack of uniformity, the 1st All India Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Conference was held in [Shimla](/source/Shimla) in 1986, where it was agreed that there should be consistency across states. This call for uniformity was reinforced at a subsequent conference in [Bhopal](/source/Bhopal) in October 2010, and there were plans to achieve this through central legislation.[{{Cite web |title=The Lokayukta, Assam |url=https://www.assamlokayukta.gov.in/preliminary.html |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.assamlokayukta.gov.in}}]
{| class="wikitable collapsible"
! Timeline !! Sequence of Events
|-
| 1963 || Concept first considered during a parliamentary discussion on budgetary allocation for the Law ministry.[{{cite news |last1=Deepalakshmi |first1=K. |title=The long wait for a Lokpal |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-lokpal-bill/article18254568.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=16 July 2021 |language=en-IN |date=27 April 2017}}]
|-
| 1966 || [Administrative Reforms Commission](/source/Administrative_Reforms_Commission) headed by [Shri Morarji Desai](/source/Morarji_Desai) gives its first report on the problems of addressing citizens' grievances against the administration. The report recommends the establishment of the Lokayukta and the Lokpal institutions at the State and the Central Governments to investigate grievances against the governments and public servants. It also recommends that it act as an independent entity.[{{cite web |title=Karnataka Lokayukta, Government of Karnataka |url=https://lokayukta.kar.nic.in/ |website=lokayukta.kar.nic.in |access-date=16 July 2021}}]
The State of Odisha passes the bill, but is able to establish this post only later in 1983.
A few other states follow.
|-
| 2002 || [M. N. Venkatachaliah](/source/M._N._Venkatachaliah) heads a commission recommending the appointment of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas; The commission also recommends that the PM be kept out of its authority.[{{cite web |last1=Khanna |first1=Anuja, Pretika |title=Anti-corruption movement a watershed moment in India |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/anti-corruption-movement-a-watershed-moment-in-india-11576199569995.html |website=mint |access-date=17 July 2021 |language=en |date=13 December 2019}}]
Headed by [Pranab Mukherjee](/source/Pranab_Mukherjee), a committee of Ministers is formed to examine the Lokpal bill and make recommendations for its implementation.[{{cite web |title=The Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Amendment) Bill, 2016 |url=https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-lokpal-and-lokayuktas-amendment-bill-2016 |website=PRS Legislative Research |access-date=16 July 2021}}]
|}
== In Indian states ==
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
|-
! Lokayukta/Lokayog !! Incumbent
|-
|[Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta](/source/Andhra_Pradesh_Lokayukta)[{{Cite web |url=http://knowledge.cgg.gov.in/Acts%20%20Policies/Lokayukta%20and%20Upa-Lokayukta%20Act%201983.pdf#page=268 |title=Archived copy |access-date=24 November 2010 |archive-date=15 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315111405/http://knowledge.cgg.gov.in/Acts%20%20Policies/Lokayukta%20and%20Upa-Lokayukta%20Act%201983.pdf#page=268 |url-status=dead }}] ||Justice P. Lakshman Reddy
|-
|[Arunachal Pradesh Lokayukta](/source/Arunachal_Pradesh_Lokayukta)[{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/justice-pk-saikia-sworn-in-as-arunachal-lokayukta-chief-119062700897_1.html|title=Justice PK Saikia sworn-in as Arunachal Lokayukta chief|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=27 June 2019|agency=Press Trust of India}}]
|-
|[Assam Lokayukta](/source/Assam_Lokayukta)[{{Cite web |url=http://aasc.nic.in/Acts%20and%20Rules%20(GOA)/Judicial%20Department/The%20Assam%20Lokayukta%20and%20Upa-Lokayuktas%20Act,%201985.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=23 November 2010 |archive-date=15 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315081227/http://aasc.nic.in/Acts%20and%20Rules%20(GOA)/Judicial%20Department/The%20Assam%20Lokayukta%20and%20Upa-Lokayuktas%20Act,%201985.pdf |url-status=dead }}] ||Justice C. R. Sarma[{{cite web |title=Powers and Functions of Lokayukta/Upa-Lokayukta {{!}} Home & Political {{!}} Government Of Assam, India |url=https://homeandpolitical.assam.gov.in/information-services/powers-and-functions-of-lokayuktaupa-lokayukta |website=homeandpolitical.assam.gov.in |access-date=26 August 2021}}]
|-
|[Bihar Lokayukta](/source/Bihar_Lokayukta)[{{cite web | url=http://lokayukta.bih.nic.in/Act.htm | title=Act }}] ||Justice Shyam Kishore Sharma
|-
|[Chhattisgarh Lokayog](/source/Chhattisgarh_Lokayog)[{{cite web |url=http://cg.gov.in/govtpolicy/lok.htm |title=Chhattisgarh State - LOK AAYOG ADHYADESH |website=cg.gov.in |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120184543/http://cg.gov.in/govtpolicy/lok.htm |archive-date=20 November 2010 |url-status=dead}}]||T. P. Sharma
|-
| [Delhi Lokayukta](/source/Delhi_Lokayukta)[{{Cite web |url=http://lokayukta.delhigovt.nic.in/uplok.asp |title=Delhi Lokayukta - Govt. Of NCT of Delhi |access-date=23 November 2010 |archive-date=21 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221042345/http://lokayukta.delhigovt.nic.in/uplok.asp |url-status=dead }}] ||[Justice Harish Chandra Mishra](/source/Harish_Chandra_Mishra)
|-
|[Goa Lokayukta](/source/Goa_Lokayukta)[{{cite web|url=http://goaprintingpress.gov.in/uploads/Goa%20Lokayukat%20Act%202011.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416131656/http://goaprintingpress.gov.in/uploads/Goa%20Lokayukat%20Act%202011.pdf|archive-date=April 16, 2022|title=THE GOA LOKAYUKTA ACT, 2011|date=2012|website=goaprintingpress.gov.in}}] ||Justice [Prafulla Kumar Mishra](/source/Prafulla_Kumar_Mishra)
|-
|[Gujarat Lokayukta](/source/Gujarat_Lokayukta)[{{cite web | title=Laws of India : The Gujarat Lokayukta Act, 1986 | website=lawsofindia.blinkvisa.com | date=18 May 2022 | url=https://lawsofindia.blinkvisa.com/statelaw/2196/TheGujaratLokayuktaAct1986.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507033802/https://lawsofindia.blinkvisa.com/statelaw/2196/TheGujaratLokayuktaAct1986.html|archive-date=May 7, 2023}}] ||Justice Rajesh Shukla
|-
|[Haryana Lokayukta](/source/Haryana_Lokayukta)[{{Cite web |url=http://hrlokayukta.gov.in/Lokayukta%20acts-english.htm |title=Haryana Govt |access-date=23 November 2010 |archive-date=25 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125143718/http://hrlokayukta.gov.in/Lokayukta%20acts-english.htm |url-status=dead }}] ||Hari Pal Verma[{{cite news |last1=Sura |first1=Ajay |title=Haryana: Former HC judge Hari Pal Verma appointed Lokayukta {{!}} Chandigarh News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/haryana-former-hc-judge-hari-pal-verma-appointed-as-new-lokayukta-haryana/articleshow/86097622.cms |access-date=12 September 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=10 September 2021 |language=en}}]
|-
|[Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta](/source/Himachal_Pradesh_Lokayukta)[{{cite web|url=http://hp.gov.in/lokayukta/Microsoft_Word_LokayuktaAct.pdf|url-status=live|title=THE HIMACHAL PRADESH LOKAYUKTA ACT, 1983|date=1983|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507033722/https://lokayukta.hp.gov.in/Microsoft_Word_LokayuktaAct.pdf|archive-date=7 May 2023}}] ||C. B. Barowalia
|-
|[Jharkhand Lokayukta](/source/Jharkhand_Lokayukta)[{{cite web|url=http://lokayuktajharkhand.nic.in/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313154931/https://lokayuktajharkhand.nic.in/|archive-date=March 13, 2019|title=Home:Jharkhand Lokayukta|website=Lokayukta Jharkhand}}] ||Justice D. N. Upadhyay
|-
| [Karnataka Lokayukta](/source/Karnataka_Lokayukta)[{{Cite web |url=http://lokayukta.kar.nic.in/karnataka_lokayukta_act.htm |title=Karnataka Lokayukta Act |access-date=23 November 2010 |archive-date=21 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221041224/http://lokayukta.kar.nic.in/karnataka_lokayukta_act.htm |url-status=dead }}] || Justice P. Vishwanatha Shetty (Lokayukta) [{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2017/jan/26/finally-karnataka-has-a-new-lokayukta-vishwanath-shetty-1563747.html|title=Finally, Karnataka has a new Lokayukta: Vishwanath Shetty|date=26 January 2017 }}] Justice Narayanappa Ananda (Upa-Lokayukta) Retd. High Court Judge B S Patil
|-
|[Kerala Lokayukta](/source/Kerala_Lokayukta)[{{Cite web |url=http://lokayuktakerala.gov.in/staticinfo/act1999.php |title=Official Website of Kerala Lok Ayukta |access-date=23 November 2010 |archive-date=6 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606054548/https://www.lokayuktakerala.gov.in/staticinfo/act1999.php |url-status=dead }}] ||Justice [Cyriac Joseph](/source/Cyriac_Joseph) (Lokayukta), Justice A. K. Basheer (Upa-Lokayukta), Justice [Babu Mathew P. Joseph](/source/Babu_Mathew_P._Joseph) (Upa-Lokayukta)
|-
|[Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta](/source/Madhya_Pradesh_Lokayukta)[{{cite web|url=http://mplokayukt.nic.in/Adhiniyam1981.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060110095656/http://mplokayukt.nic.in/Adhiniyam1981.pdf|archive-date=January 10, 2006|title=THE MADHYA PRADESH ACT NO. 37 of 1981|date=October 15, 1981}}] ||Justice Naresh Kumar Gupta
|-
|[Maharashtra Lokayukta](/source/Maharashtra_Lokayukta)[{{Cite web |url=http://gad.maharashtra.gov.in/Sitemap/gad/pdf/LokAayuktaActEng.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=6 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106010233/http://gad.maharashtra.gov.in/Sitemap/gad/pdf/LokAayuktaActEng.pdf |archive-date=6 November 2012 |url-status=dead }}] ||
[Sanjay Bhatia](/source/Sanjay_Bhatia_(civil_servant)) (Upa-Lokayukta and Lokayukta-in-Charge)[{{Cite news|last=Mishra|first=Lalatendu|date=2020-08-29|title=Sanjay Bhatia appointed State Upa-Lokayukta|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/sanjay-bhatia-appointed-state-upa-lokayukta/article32469865.ece|access-date=2021-06-27|issn=0971-751X}}][{{cite web |title=About Maharashtra Lokayukta |url=https://lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in/1107/About-Us |website=lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in |access-date=8 July 2021}}]
|-
|[Manipur Lokayukta](/source/Manipur_Lokayukta)[{{Cite web|url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.editorial.editorial_2019.Finally_Manipur_got_Lokayukta_IT_20190621|title = Finally Manipur got Lokayukta IT 20190621}}] || Justice (Retd.) T. Nandakumar Singh
|-
|[Meghalaya Lokayukta](/source/Meghalaya_Lokayukta)[{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/first-chairperson-of-meghalaya-lokayukta-sworn-in-118110600646_1.html|title = First chairperson of Meghalaya Lokayukta sworn in|newspaper = Business Standard India|date = 6 November 2018|agency = Press Trust of India}}] || Pranoy Kumar Musahary
|-
|[Mizoram Lokayukta](/source/Mizoram_Lokayukta)[{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/c-lalsawta-appointed-mizorams-first-lokayukta-chairman20190312193024/|title = C. Lalsawta appointed Mizoram's first Lokayukta chairman}}] || C. Lalsawta
|-
|[Nagaland Lokayukta](/source/Nagaland_Lokayukta)[{{cite web|url=http://www.uniindia.com/justice-uma-nath-singh-takes-oath-as-1st-lokayukta-of-nagaland/east/news/1508792.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507034926/http://www.uniindia.com/justice-uma-nath-singh-takes-oath-as-1st-lokayukta-of-nagaland/east/news/1508792.html|archive-date=May 7, 2023|title=Justice Uma Nath Singh takes oath as 1st Lokayukta of Nagaland|date=February 22, 2019|website=United News of India}}] || Justice [Uma Nath Singh](/source/Uma_Nath_Singh)
|-
|[Odisha Lokayukta](/source/Odisha_Lokayukta)[{{cite web | title=Laws of India : The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 1995 | date=18 May 2022| url=https://lawsofindia.blinkvisa.com/statelaw/2626/TheLokpalandLokayuktasAct1995.html}}] || Justice Ajit Singh
|-
|[Punjab Lokayukta](/source/Punjab_Lokayukta)[{{cite web |url=http://punjabgovt.nic.in/punjabrti/Departments/Legal_and_Legislative_Affair/Department%20of%20Legal%20%26%20Legislative%20Affair/THE%20PUNJAB%20LOKPAL%20ACT.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=punjabgovt.nic.in |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129162716/http://punjabgovt.nic.in/punjabrti/Departments/Legal_and_Legislative_Affair/Department%20of%20Legal%20%26%20Legislative%20Affair/THE%20PUNJAB%20LOKPAL%20ACT.pdf |archive-date=29 November 2010 |url-status=dead}}] ||Justice Vinod Kumar Sharma
|-
|[Rajasthan Lokayukta](/source/Rajasthan_Lokayukta)[{{cite web |url=http://lokayukt.rajasthan.gov.in/Acts.asp |title=Untitled Document |website=lokayukt.rajasthan.gov.in |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090123035853/http://lokayukt.rajasthan.gov.in/Acts.asp |archive-date=23 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}] ||Justice Pratap Krishna Lohara
|-
|[Sikkim Lokayukta](/source/Sikkim_Lokayukta)[{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/justice-kalyan-jyoti-sengupta-sworn-in-as-sikkim-lokayukta-chairperson/articleshow/47340939.cms?from=mdr|title=Justice Kalyan Jyoti Sengupta sworn-in as Sikkim Lokayukta Chairperson|newspaper=The Economic Times}}] || Justice Anand Prakash Subba
|-
|[Tamil Nadu Lokayukta](/source/Tamil_Nadu_Lokayukta)[{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/apr/02/finally-tamil-nadu-lokayukta-constituted-1958984.html|title=Finally, Tamil Nadu Lokayukta constituted|date=2 April 2019 }}] || P. Devadass
|-
|[Telangana Lokayukta](/source/Telangana_Lokayukta)[{{cite news |title=Telangana govt appoints state's Lokayukta, Upa Lokayukta |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/telangana-govt-appoints-state-s-lokayukta-upa-lokayukta-119122000162_1.html |access-date=24 August 2021 |publisher=Business Standard India |date=20 December 2019}}] || Justice (Retd.) C. V. Ramulu
|-
|[Tripura Lokayukta](/source/Tripura_Lokayukta)[{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/new-tripura-lokayukta-assumes-office-117042700579_1.html|title = New Tripura Lokayukta assumes office|newspaper = Business Standard India|date = 27 April 2017}}] || Justice Subal Baidya
|-
|[Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta](/source/Uttar_Pradesh_Lokayukta)[{{cite web | url=http://lokayukta.up.nic.in/text/english%20act/act%20subbuttan%20english.htm | title=La Act English }}] || Justice Sanjay Mishra
|-
|[Uttarakhand Lokayukta](/source/Uttarakhand_Lokayukta)[[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-grants-uttarakhand-6-months-to-appoint-lokayukta/story-K5q2Bd9ICm38wSXBZ2DNCK.html Hindustan Times]] ||''Vacant''
|-
|[West Bengal Lokayukta](/source/West_Bengal_Lokayukta)[{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/bengal-appoints-lokayukta-hrc-chief-gets-tenure-extended/articleshow/125703448.cms|title=Bengal appoints Lokayukta, HRC Chief gets tenure extended|last=Konar|first=Debashis|date=2 December 2025|access-date=2 December 2025|url-status=live|work=[The Times of India](/source/The_Times_of_India)}}][{{Cite news|url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/retd-justice-rabindranath-samanta-made-new-lokayukta-of-bengal-637833|title=Retd Justice Rabindranath Samanta made new Lokayukta of Bengal|last=Team MP|date=1 December 2025|access-date=2 December 2025|url-status=live|work=Millennium Post}}]|| Justice (Retd.) Rabindranath Samanta
|}
The [Arunachal Pradesh](/source/Arunachal_Pradesh) [Assembly](/source/Arunachal_Pradesh_Legislative_Assembly) passed a Lokayukta bill on 4 March 2014[{{cite news |title=Lokayukta Bill passed in Arunachal Pradesh house |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/lokayukta-bill-passed-in-arunachal-pradesh-house/articleshow/31474736.cms?from=mdr |website=The Economic Times |access-date=8 July 2021}}][{{cite web |title=Home Arunachal Pradesh Lokayukta |url=http://lokayukta.arunachal.gov.in/#:~:text=The%20office%20of%20Lokayukta%20Arunachal,the%20Member%20of%20the%20Lokayukta. |website=lokayukta.arunachal.gov.in |access-date=8 July 2021}}] and the [Mizoram](/source/Mizoram) [Assembly](/source/Mizoram_Legislative_Assembly) in March 2019.[{{cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |title=Mizoram gets its first Lokayukta chairman |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mizoram-gets-its-first-lokayukta-chairman/article26503794.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=8 July 2021 |language=en-IN |date=12 March 2019}}] In Tamil Nadu, the Lokayukta Act was enacted on 13 July 2018[{{cite web |title=Tamil Nadu Lokayukta Act, 2018 |url=http://www.bareactslive.com/TN/tn976.htm |access-date=8 July 2021 |website=www.bareactslive.com}}] and established on 13 November 2018.[{{cite web |date=2 April 2019 |title=Finally, Tamil Nadu Lokayukta constituted |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/apr/02/finally-tamil-nadu-lokayukta-constituted-1958984.html |access-date=8 July 2021 |website=The New Indian Express}}] There are no Lokayuktas in [Jammu and Kashmir](/source/Jammu_and_Kashmir_(union_territory)) and [Puducherry](/source/Puducherry_(union_territory)).
===Constitutional Amendment for Effectiveness===
An amendment to the [Constitution](/source/Constitution_of_India) has been proposed to implement the Lokayukta uniformly across [Indian states](/source/States_of_India). The proposed changes will make the institution of Lokayukta uniform across the country as a three-member body, headed by a retired [Supreme Court](/source/Supreme_court) judge or high court chief justice[{{cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/78301/lokayukta-may-get-constitutional-status.html |title=Lokayukta may get constitutional status|date=30 June 2010|access-date= 2010-06-30 |publisher=[Deccan Herald](/source/Deccan_Herald)}}]
== Jurisdiction ==
The Lokayukta is established to investigate complaints against public functionaries, including politicians and government officials. Each state defines the jurisdiction and powers of its Lokayukta through a separate state act.
Generally, the Lokayuktas jurisdiction covers:
* Ministers, including the [Chief Minister](/source/Chief_minister) (in many states)
* [Members of Legislative Assembly](/source/Member_of_the_Legislative_Assembly) (MLAs), [Members of Legislative Councils](/source/Legislative_council) (MLCs)
* State government officials, (including IAS, IPS, and other state service officers)
* Employees of [public sector undertakings](/source/Public_Sector_Undertakings_in_India), local bodies, and autonomous institutions funded or controlled by the state government.
The exact powers and processes of Lokayuktas vary because each state passes its own Lokayukta Act, defining the scope of authority, jurisdiction, and procedural rules specific to that state.[{{Cite web |title=Objectives & Functions {{!}} Lokayukta Maharashtra {{!}} India |url=https://lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in/about-department/objectives-functions/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |language=en}}]
== Reforms ==
In November 2012, after the conclusion of the 11th ''All India Lokayukta Conference'', as many as 16 Lokayuktas sent several recommendations to the [Government of India](/source/Govt_of_India). The recommendations were:[{{cite news|title=Bring NGOs under ambit: Lokayuktas |url=https://dailypioneer.com/city/107865-bring-ngos-under-ambit-lokayuktas.html|access-date=10 November 2012 |newspaper=Pioneer|date=9 November 2012}}]
* Make the Lokayukta the nodal agency for receiving all corruption complaints.[{{cite news|title=Make Lokayukta nodal agency for all graft complaints|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/make-lokayukta-nodal-agency-for-all-graft-complaints/article4081488.ece|access-date=10 November 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|date=9 November 2012|location=Chennai, India}}]
* Accord powers of search and seizure and the power to initiate [contempt](/source/Contempt_of_court) proceedings.[{{cite news |title=Karnataka Lokayukta report: Yeddyurappa resigns as CM; difficult task for BJP to find successor |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/karnataka-lokayukta-report-yeddyurappa-resigns-as-cm-difficult-task-for-bjp-to-find-successor/articleshow/9402389.cms?from=mdr |website=The Economic Times |access-date=8 July 2021}}][{{cite web |title=Yeddyurappa resigns as Karnataka Chief Minister |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/yeddyurappa-resigns-as-karnataka-chief-minister-463451 |website=NDTV.com |access-date=8 July 2021}}]
==See also==
* [The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013](/source/The_Lokpal_and_Lokayuktas_Act%2C_2013)
* [Lokpal](/source/Lokpal)
* [Citizen's Charter and Grievance Redressal Bill, 2011](/source/Citizen's_Charter_and_Grievance_Redressal_Bill%2C_2011)
* [Jan Lokpal Bill](/source/Jan_Lokpal_Bill)
* [2011 Indian anti-corruption movement](/source/2011_Indian_anti-corruption_movement)
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Lokayukta}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Anti-corruption measures in India
Category:Anti-corruption agencies
Category:Ombudsman posts
Category:Lokayuktas
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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lokayukta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lokayukta) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lokayukta?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.