Previous Year Question
In which of the following states, the office of Lokayukta was first established?
Maharashtra
Uttar Pradesh
Bihar
Odisha
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Maharashtra was the first State in India to establish the institution of Lokayukta. The official Maharashtra Lokayukta portal describes Maharashtra as the first and pioneer State to introduce the institution through the Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 1971.
The Lokayukta concept is based on the Ombudsman model. The First Administrative Reforms Commission, headed by Morarji Desai, recommended such an institution in 1966 to improve grievance redressal and check corruption in public administration.
The Maharashtra Lokayukta institution formally came into existence on 25 October 1972. Its first Lokayukta was Justice S. P. Kotval, whose tenure began on that date.
The institution primarily deals with complaints concerning corruption, abuse of public office and administrative grievances involving public servants.
Thus, remember—
First Lokayukta institution in India → Maharashtra → 1971 Act → operational from 1972.