President Pranab Mukherjee today gave his assent to Odisha Lokayukta Bill, 2014.

With the presidential assent received today, the Bill adopted by Odisha Assembly in February 14 last year, now becomes an Act.

Odisha was the second state after Uttarakhand to pass the Lokayukta Bill.

According to the Odisha Lokayukta Act 2014, the Lokayukta will be a five-member body. It will be led by a judge or Chief Justice of the Odisha High Court and will have two judicial members, including the chairperson.

Out of the three non judicial members, one will be from the scheduled categories and women. Appointment of such a member will be on rotation basis.

The Lokayukta can inquire or direct an inquiry into any corruption related matter in the state.

It is to be noted that the last session of the 14th Assembly was extended by a day when discussions on the Bill remained inconclusive on February 13 last year and was adopted onFebruary 14.

Uttarakhand was the first state to adopt the provisions of the Lokpal Act with its state assembly passing the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill-2014 on January 22, 2014.

Source : SunTimes