First ARC - Lok Pal and Lokayukta

The firrst Administrative Reforms Commission had recommended the setting up of

the Lok Pal. Th e Lok Pal Bill has been introduced several times in Parliament, but
due to various reasons it has not been enacted into a law. Th e Lok Pal is supposed to
be a watchdog over the integrity of Ministers and the Members of Parliament. Th e
Lok Pal Bill provides for constitution of the Lok Pal as an independent body to
enquire into cases of corruption against public functionaries, with a mechanism for fi
ling complaints and conducting inquiries etc. After the recommendations of the fi rst
Administrative Reforms Commission, many States have constituted Lokayuktas to
investigate allegations or grievances arising out of the conduct of public servants
including political executives, legislators, offi cers of the State Government, local
bodies, public enterprises and other instrumentalities of Government. A member of
the public can fi le specifi c allegations with the Lokayukta against any public servant
for enquiry. Th e Lokayukta can also initiate suo-motu inquiry into the conduct of
public servants. Th e Commission has dealt with this subject extensively in its Report
on Ethics in Governance and has made substantive recommendations.

Review of Administrative Laws

One of the principal causes for the inordinate delay in providing services to citizens
was the existence of a complex system of rules, regulations and procedures which had
outlived their utility. Government therefore set up a Commission on the Review of
Administrative Laws in May, 1998. _ is Commission submitted its report on 30
September, 1998. Some of its important recommendations include (i) compilation of
up-to-date information about rules, regulations etc. by all Ministries/Departments
under diff erent Central Laws administered by them; (ii) expeditious amendments to
various Acts, (iii) unifi cation and harmonization of Statutes, Laws etc.; and (iv)
repeal of 1382 Central Laws of diff erent categories out of about 2500 Laws in force
on the ground that these Laws have become irrelevant