Previous Year Question
According to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 the Lokpal would be appointed by the President after obtaining the recommendations of a Selection Committee, with the Prime Minister as chairperson and consisting, among others, of the following:
Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court Judge nominated by him
Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
1, 2 and 3
2, 3 and 4
1, 2, 3 and 4
1, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
The Chairperson and Members of the Lokpal are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Selection Committee. The Prime Minister serves as the Chairperson of this Selection Committee.
Among the statements given, the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court Judge nominated by the Chief Justice is a member of the Selection Committee. Therefore, Statement 1 is correct.
The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is not a member of the Selection Committee. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is a member of the Selection Committee. Therefore, Statement 3 is correct. Similarly, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha is also a member, making Statement 4 correct.
In addition to these members, the Selection Committee includes one eminent jurist. The eminent jurist is recommended by the other specified members of the Selection Committee and nominated by the President.
The Selection Committee can therefore be remembered as—
Prime Minister — Chairperson
Speaker, Lok Sabha — Member
Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha — Member
Chief Justice of India or nominee Supreme Court Judge — Member
One eminent jurist — Member
The statutory framework relating to the Lokpal came into force on 16 January 2014. The institution was subsequently operationalised, with appointments continuing under the Selection Committee-based statutory procedure.