The inaction on the part of the state government in filling the post of Lokayukta, which has been vacant, has not only brought proceedings under its jurisdiction to a standstill, but also raised suspicions over the delay in appointment. When the state is grappling with allegations like corruption, the institution bolsters the government's commitment to combat graft and restore public trust. Stung by several indictments by the Lokayukta in cases involving corruption by public functionaries, govt amended the act to severely dilute the powers of the institution. The amendments omitted provisions enabling complaints against public functionaries on allegations of nepotism, lack of integrity, maladministration and improper or corrupt motives. The government in the past didn’t act on even one of the 21 reports that former Lokayukta Justice Misra submitted. He had also passed orders against two MLAs for disproportionate assets. Unable to take the findings to the logical conclusion, he reportedly said, “Only God can save the state. Why should public money be spent for nothing? If the Lokayukta Act is being thrown into the dustbin with such force, then it’s better to abolish the Lokayukta." The powers of Lokayuktas should be revised.
