The Lokayukta (लोकायुक्त) is an anti-corruption ombudsman existing in several states of India. The Goa Lokayukta is the ombudsman institution of the Indian state of Goa.
Background
In 1966, a report by the Administrative Reforms Commission headed by Morarji Desai recommended the setting up of Lokpal at the federal level and Lokayukta in the states, for the redressal of citizen's grievances.
Goa had its first anti-corruption commission under the Goa Public Men’s Corruption (Inquiries and Investigation) Act, 1988. The provisions of this Act were analogous to the Lokayukta Acts of several states. The legislation was enacted to make provision for the constitution of the Commission for investigation of, and inquiry into, complaints against public men and for matters connected therewith. Government of India subsequently circulated model Bills on Lokayukta and State Vigilance Commissions to all states in India.
The Goa Lokayukta Bill, 2003 was introduced before the Goa Legislative Assembly in 2003 during the tenure of Manohar Parrikar as the Chief Minister of Goa. It was referred to the Select Committee and finally passed by the Goa Legislative Assembly in 2007. It was sent to the Governor of Goa for his assent on 11 August 2007.
The Governor of Goa reserved it for assent of the President of India as the proposed legislation was within the ambit of Entry No.45 of the Concurrent List (List-III) of Schedule VII of the Constitution of India. It was examined by the Union Ministries of Law, Home as well as Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions of the Government of India. These Ministries pointed out towards certain legal infirmities in the Goa Lokayukta Bill, 2003 in context to the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 and the Right to Information Act, 2005. Due to these reservations expressed by several Ministries of the Government of India, the Government of Goa led by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat decided to withdraw the enactment and introduce a new legislation.