A brief history of Lokayukta: Maharashtra to Karnataka, evolution of anti-corruption watchdog | Political Pulse News,The Indian Express
The idea of a Lokpal, or the central anti-corruption ombudsman, first came up in 1963 during a discussion on Budget allocation of the Union Law Ministry. It received widespread attention during the Anna Hazare movement.
The anti-corruption ombudsman in Maharashtra now has additional powers to direct state agencies to not only recommend action but also direct state agencies to undertake investigations, according to Fadnavis.
Here is a look at the history of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas.
The genesis
The idea of a Lokpal — the central anti-corruption ombudsman — first came up in 1963 during a discussion on Budget allocation of the Union Law Ministry. Bills seeking an ombudsman were introduced in Parliament eight times between 1968 and 2001 but were not passed, noted a 2020 report by anti-corruption organisation Transparency International India.
However, over the years, different states set up their own Lokayuktas — the state equivalent of the Lokpal. Maharashtra was first in this respect with its Lokayukta body established in 1971 under the Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upayukta Act.
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