In 1966, Government of India constituted ‘Administrative Reforms Commission’ (ARC) under the Chairmanship of Shri Morarji Desai to submit recommendations for setting up of certain institutions to redress the grievances of the citizens’ as against the administrative errors and abuses of Government of India and State Governments, and their Instrumentalities and other Authorities.
On 20.10.1966, ARC submitted its Report to Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Hon’ble Prime Minister of India for the formation of two Institutions, namely, ‘Lokpal’ and ‘Lokayukta’ to ventilate and redress the grievances of citizens regarding the administrative faults.
ARC also reported that such institutions should be independent, impartial and their procedures should be informal in character; they should be non-political, managed by higher judicial functionaries; should deal with acts of injustice, corruption, favouritism as against Executive.
In 2004, United Nations Organization (U.N.O) passed ‘Convention Against Corruption’. India committed to pursue the Policy of “Zero Tolerance against Corruption” and ratified the said U.N. Convention.
In this scenario, our Parliament enacted “the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 (Act No. 1 of 2014)”. This Act came into force with effect from 16.01.2014.
In compliance with Section 63 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, Tamil Nadu Legislature has passed the Tamil Nadu Lokayukta Act, 2018. Rules have also been framed under the said Act. The above Act has come into force on 13.11.2018 vide G.O.(Ms) No.153,P&AR (N-SPL) Dept, dated 13.11.2018.
The Tamil Nadu Lokayukta is an independent quasi-judicial body constituted under the said Act with the object of inquiring into the allegations of corruption against certain categories of public servants and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Headed by a Registrar
Headed by a Secretary
Headed by a Director of Inquiry/Superintendent of Police
A complaint shall be in the form as prescribed in Schedule-V, (Rule 22, Tamil Nadu Lokayukta Rules, 2018) alleging that a public servant has committed an offence punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 as amended by the Central Act No.16 of 2018 (see Section 2 (1) (d),Tamil Nadu Lokayukta Act)
Complaints can be made as against various categories of public servants mentioned in Section 12 of the Tamil Nadu Lokayukta Act.
On matters mentioned under Section 13 of the Tamil Nadu Lokayukta Act.
Complaints not made within 4 years from the date of commission of the offence (Section 40, Tamil Nadu Lokayukta Act.)
Lokayukta shall ordinarily hold its sittings at Chennai. However, in case of necessity, at such places as may be determined by the Hon’ble Chairman.
Lokayukta will function on all working days from 10 A.M to 5.45 PM with a lunch break of 45 minutes from 1.15 P.M to 2.00 P.M.
As per G.O.(Ms.) No.36, P&AR (N-Spl) Department, dated 25.03.2021 summer vacation as declared by the Hon’ble High Court of Madras will be observed as summer vacation for the Tamil Nadu Lokayukta.
