Lokpal Search Committee invites applications for chairperson, members

The Search Committee for Lokpal, headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, on Wednesday invited applications for the appointment of chairperson and members of Lokpal.

The last date for receipt of applications/nominations is February 22 at 5 pm. The date/time stamp of the application/nomination at the receiving end will be treated as final for the purpose, an official statement said.

Applications or nominations are invited by the Search Committee for Lokpal for preparation of a panel of names to be placed for the consideration of the Selection Committee for the appointment of chairperson and members of Lokpal.

"Any person can make a nomination in respect of another person. However, such nominations shall be restricted to one name only for each position. Multiple nominations by the same person, for the same position, shall not be entertained and only the first nomination for the position received will be considered as valid," it added.

The body of the Lokpal shall comprise a chairperson and not less than eight members of whom less than 50 per cent shall be judicial members.

The person nominated shall not be less than 45 years of age, on the date of assuming office as the chairperson or member of the Lokpal.

The selection procedure and process shall be regulated in terms of the provisions of Section 4 of the Lokpal Act, 2013 and the Search Committee Rules, 2014, as per the statement.

The chairperson and every member shall hold office as such for a term of five years from the date on which he/she enters upon his/her office or until he/she attains the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas are governing bodies at the Centre and state levels respectively, appointed to check corruption by all public servants, including the Prime Minister. The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act were passed in the year 2013.