Above: Supreme Court (file picture)  

The Supreme Court is hearing a plea seeking a Lokpal as per Lokayukta Act, 2013 and also urging necessary adequate budget, infrastructure and manpower, essential for effective functioning of the Lokpal.

On Friday (March 23), the bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi, R Banumathi directed chief secretaries of states where no Lokayukta or Uplokayukta appointed as on date to file affidavit within two weeks as what steps they have taken for appointment of these posts.

The petitioner alleges that many state governments in the country are intentionally undermining the Lokyukta by not assuring ample amenities, adequate funds and workforce.

“Section 63 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, envisages that every State shall establish a body to be known as the Lokayukta within a period of one year from the date of commencement of the Act, however, many States have not done so till date. And many States have not passed the Lokayukta Act in consonance with the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013,” the petition alleged.

—India Legal Bureau