Appointment of Acting Chairperson Lokpal

## Report on Lokpal Chairperson Appointment Authorization **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, authorizing Shri Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty to act as the Chairperson of the Lokpal. This authorization is triggered by the completion of the tenure of the previous Chairperson and is effective until a new Chairperson is appointed. The key finding is the establishment of a temporary leadership structure within the Lokpal to ensure continuity of operations. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide an informative overview of a notification concerning the authorization of an acting Chairperson for the Lokpal, based solely on the provided text. **3. Policy Overview:** * This notification pertains to the *Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013*. This document serves as an amendment related to filling the Chairperson position of the Lokpal. * **Core Objective:** To ensure the continuous functioning of the Lokpal by authorizing a designated individual to serve as Chairperson during a vacancy. **4. Background and Rationale:** The provided text indicates that the reason for this authorization is the completion of the tenure of the previous Chairperson, Shri Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose. This situation necessitates a temporary arrangement to maintain the Lokpal's operational capacity until a permanent replacement is appointed. The amendment addresses the temporary vacancy of leadership within the Lokpal. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This document serves as an amendment relating to filling the leadership position within the Lokpal organization. * **Specific Part Changed:** This notification addresses the process of filling the position of Chairperson of the Lokpal when a vacancy occurs due to the completion of the previous Chairperson's tenure. * **New Rule/Provision:** Shri Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, Member Judicial, Lokpal, is authorized to act as the Chairperson of the Lokpal, effective from May 28th, 2022, until a new Chairperson is appointed. * **Effect of Change:** This change ensures the continuity of leadership and operation within the Lokpal during the interim period between the departure of the previous Chairperson and the appointment of a new one. It provides a clear framework for the interim leadership. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are: * Shri Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty. * The Lokpal organization and its members. * The President of India. * The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. * Individuals or entities potentially subject to the Lokpal's jurisdiction. * Government of India Press * Controller of Publications **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) is responsible for issuing the notification. The President of India authorized the appointment. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The authorization is effective from May 28th, 2022, and continues until a permanent Chairperson is appointed. No specific procedures beyond the authorization are detailed in the text. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of this authorization is to maintain the operational effectiveness of the Lokpal during the transition period. By appointing an acting Chairperson, the Lokpal can continue to perform its duties without interruption. This ensures that complaints and investigations under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 can continue to be processed. **9. Conclusion:** The notification authorizing Shri Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty to act as Chairperson of the Lokpal is a temporary measure designed to bridge the gap between the tenure of the previous Chairperson and the appointment of a new one. This action is significant as it demonstrates the government's commitment to ensuring the continuous and effective functioning of the Lokpal, a crucial body for addressing corruption and maladministration. The limited scope of the provided text prevents a deeper analysis of the broader implications.

Key Entities Referenced