- Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta is formed as the parliamentary ombudsman by the Government of Andhra Pradesh under the Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 83. Its institution acts as the high-level statutory functionary for the state of Andhra Pradesh and created independent of the governing political and public administration to address the public grievances against the state government and its administration. It came into force with effect from 1 November'83. It functions as a public instrument against corruption and other malpractices by public servants and government authorities of the state.
| Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta | |
|---|---|
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1983 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Federal agency | India |
| Operations jurisdiction | India |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Institution of Lokayukta, H.No.96/3-72-124-1, PRASAD'S COMPLEX, Santosh nagar, Kurnool -518006. |
| Agency executive |
|
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, Chairman of Legislative Council and Leader of Opposition of Legislative Council and will serve the period of five years.
History and administration
editThe institution of Lokayukta has been set up in the state of Andhra Pradesh in 1983.[1] through its Lokayukta Act.
In 2014 Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated into two states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.[2]
The Assembly of the new state of Andhra Pradesh approved that in addition to only serving Chief Justices or sitting judges even retired Chief Justices or retired Justices can be considered to be eligible for appointment for the position as the State Lokayukta. This was done by passing the amended Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta Amendment Bill,2019.[3]
Lokayukta of Andhra Pradesh is administered by its Registrar who is also its head of department. Its administrative system has four branches, namely Administration, Judicial, Legal and Investigation.
The state Lokayukta is currently operating from the Government Building situated in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 cases, the Lokayukta of Andhra Pradesh asked the petitioners and government employees to submit petitions, reports online or by post.[4]
Notable cases
edit- The Institution received 448 complaints in 15 days between 15 September 2019 and 30 September 2019.[5]
- In one of the landmark judgements the Lokayukta after appointment also ordered a series of strict measures on organised loan syndicates in co-operative banks in the state.[6]
- In 2013, the Institution observed that one of the traditional medicines administered by private people should not be supported by the State Government as it does not have a scientific value.[7]
- In one of its observations in year 2021, the institution expressed that the employees of medical, health and treasury offices combined and created 61 dummy people who are not physically available and fraudulently booking salaries in their names for several years.[8]
Appointments and tenure
editThe Governor of the state appointed Justice P Lakshmana Reddy as the first Lokayukta of bifurcated Andhra Pradesh on 15 September 2019.[5]
Following is the list and tenure of various Lokayuktas of the state:[9]
| Index | Name | Holding charge from | Holding charge to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justice Mr.A. Avula Sambasiva Rao | 14.11.1983 | 13.11.1988 |
| 2 | Justice Mr.A. Seetharam Reddy | 12.03.1990 | 11.03.1995 |
| 3 | Justice Mr.D.J. Jagannadha Raju | 11.05.1995 | 10.05.2000 |
| 4 | Justice R. Ramanujam | 12.07.2002 | 11.07.2007 |
| 5 | Justice S. Ananda Reddy | 12.10.2007 | 11.10.2012 |
| 6 | Justice B. Subhashan Reddy | 12.10.2012 | 11.10.2017 |
| 7 | Justice P. Laxman Reddy [10] | 15.09.2019 | Present |
Powers
editThe institution has powers to investigate and prosecute any government official or public servants who are covered by the act and abuses his authority for his self interest or causes hurt to anyone or any action done intentionally or following corrupt practices negatively impacting the state or individual[11]
Related articles
editReferences
edit- ^ Seetharaman, G (10 November 2018). "Delay in appointment of Lokpal & Lokayukta: Who will bell the graft?". The Economic Times. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "How Telangana demand led to bifurcation". The Indian Express. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "Andhra Pradesh Assembly Passes Judicial Commission Bill to Bring Transparency in Govt Tenders". News18. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "Submit petitions, reports by online or post: Lokayukta to officials". The New Indian Express. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Andhra Lokayukta receives 448 complaints within 2 weeks of new chief's swearing-in". The News Minute. 6 October 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ "Lokayukta orders crackdown on cooperative loan mafia in Andhra Pradesh | Hyderabad News - Times of India". The Times of India. 21 April 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ "Andhra Lokayukta questions state support to 'fish medicine'". Business Standard India. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "Rs 20 cr swindled in AP through fake aliases | Hyderabad News - Times of India". The Times of India. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "Former Lokayuktas" (PDF). lokayukta.telangana.gov.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ The Hindu (16 September 2019). "Justice Lakshman Reddy sworn in as Lokayukta". Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ "About Institution". www.lokayukta.ap.nic.in. Archived from the original on 5 May 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
External links
edit- Official website Archived 2021-08-23 at the Wayback Machine