Haryana Lokayukta
Anti-corruption Ombudsman for the state of Haryana
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Haryana Lokayukta is the Parliamentary Ombudsman for the state of Haryana (India). 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 Haryana Lokayukta and Deputy Lokayukta Act-2002, and approved by the president of India. With The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 adopted by the Indian Parliament coming into force on 16 January 2014, each state in India was required to appoint its Lokayukta within a year.[2][3] A bench of Lokayukta should consist of judicial and non-judicial members.[4] An Upa-Lokayukta is a deputy to Lokayukta[5] and assists with her or his work and acts as the in-charge Lokayukta in case the position falls vacant before time.
| Haryana | |
|---|---|
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 2003 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Federal agency | India |
| Operations jurisdiction | India |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Haryana Lok Ayukta, Lokayukta, Haryana New Secretariat Haryana Room No 232, 2nd Floor Sector-17, Chandigarh. |
| Agency executive |
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A Lokayukta of the state is appointed to office by the state Governor after consulting the committee consisting of State Chief Minister, Speaker of Legislative Assembly, Leader of Opposition,[5] 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
Oath or affirmation
"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, Haryana Lokayukta and Deputy Lokayukta Act-2003
Powers
Haryana 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, Leader of Opposition and Government officials.[5]
Appointment and tenure
Notable cases
In September 2021, Haryana Lokayukta, on a complaint filed on the alleged sale of farmland soil worth Rs 3 crore for Rs 3 lakhs, it recommended enquiry against three jail officials Jagjit Singh, IG Prisons; Sunil Sangwan, Superintendent, Rohtak jail, and Dayanand, Superintendent, Jhajjar jail.[11]
In 2016, Haryana Lokayukta order dismissing a complaint for seeking probe into allegations of "favouritism" shown by than Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in colluding with state Chief Secretary DS Dhesi for suggesting names of his minister Ram Bilas Sharma’s daughter and Principal Secretary Rajesh Khullar’s wife for nomination as an appointment to IAS out from the state cadres of officers was challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.[12]