The West Bengal Lokayukta Act, 2003
west-bengal · 2003
The scanned source for this Act is imperfect — headings or section boundaries may be off. Verify against the official source.
- S. 1(1) This Act may be called the West Bengal Lokayukta Act, 2003
- S. 2Section 2 defines key terms used in the West Bengal Lokayukta Act, 2003, including "action," "Chief Minister," and "competent authority."
- S. 4Section 4 prohibits Lokayukta or Upa-Lokayukta from holding any office of profit, political party ties, or practicing profession.
- S. 5Section 5 of the West Bengal Lokayukta Act, 2003, outlines the term and resignation/removal conditions for Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta officials.
- S. 6Section 6 ensures the Lokayukta's removal only by Governor's order after Assembly's two-thirds majority support for misconduct.
- S. 7Section 7 authorizes the Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta to investigate complaints with approval or referral.
- S. 8Section 8 of the West Bengal Lokayukta Act, 2003 prohibits the Lokayukta from investigating complaints already subject to formal inquiry, disciplinary action, or court adjudication.
- S. 9Section 9 allows complaints to the Lokayukta regarding any action, with provisions for posthumous investigations if desired.
- S. 10Section 10 outlines the Lokayukta's process for investigating complaints against public officials, ensuring confidentiality and timely completion.
- S. 11Section 11 empowers the Lokayukta to compel public servants and others to provide relevant information or documents for investigations, with certain national security and confidentiality exceptions.
- S. 12Section 12 mandates the Lokayukta to report substantiated complaints to the competent authority, which must then act on the report.
- S. 13Section 13 mandates Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta to submit annual reports to the State Government, which must be presented to the State Legislature.
- S. 14Section penalizes false complaints against public officials and specifies court jurisdiction and procedural requirements for such cases.
- S. 15Section 15 allows the Lokayukta to appoint staff and utilize state or other agencies for investigations, subject to Governor's approval.
- S. 16Section 16 of the West Bengal Lokayukta Act, 2003, makes information and evidence obtained by the Lokayukta confidential, except for specific disclosures for investigations, prosecutions, or public interest.
- S. 17Section 17 penalizes insults or interruptions to the Lokayukta or Upa-Lokayukta during investigations, with imprisonment, fine, or both.
- S. 18Section 18 protects Lokayukta officials and related entities from legal actions and challenges to their decisions.
- S. 19Section 19 provides allowances, privileges, and conditions for Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta.
- S. 20Section 20 allows the State Government to direct the Lokayukta or Upa-Lokayukta to investigate specific allegations.
- S. 21Section 21 allows the State Government to make rules for implementing the Act, subject to legislative review and approval.
- S. 22Section 22 allows the Lokayukta to make regulations with state approval for the act's purposes, including office hours, procedures, complaint forms, and fees.
- S. 23The section allows the State Government to resolve Act implementation issues by order, but not after two years from publication.
- S. 44Protection of action taken in good faith
- S. 186045 of 1860