More than two years after the Lokpal came into being, the Centre is yet to appoint a director of inquiry for conducting preliminary inquiry into graft complaints sent by the anti-corruption ombudsman, according to a Right to Information reply. According to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, there shall be a director of inquiry, not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India, who shall be appointed by the Central government for conducting preliminary inquiries referred to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) by the Lokpal. The CVC was asked to provide details of the director of inquiry and cases referred to it by the Lokpal for conducting preliminary inquiries, among others. According to the latest official data, the Lokpal received 12 complaints of corruption, including eight against senior officials, between April and June this year. The data showed that two complaints were closed after a preliminary examination and three complaints seeking preliminary inquiry were pending with the CVC.

Source: The Hindu July 18, 2021 17:03 UTC