RAS question
The Lokayukta investigates complaints against:
Correct answer: (D) Ministers and public servants of the state.
The Lokayukta investigates complaints of corruption and maladministration against ministers and public servants of the state government.
Explanation
The Lokayukta is meant for accountability within the state administration, not for every kind of dispute or every public authority in India. The official Lokayukta Rajasthan site describes it as a high-level statutory and independent institution established under the Rajasthan Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta Act, 1973 to inquire into corruption, misuse of office and inaction involving Rajasthan ministers, secretaries, heads of state bodies, local self-government functionaries and other officers or employees. Its role is to investigate allegations against ministers, MLAs and public servants of the state government. State ministers and public servants fall within the Lokayukta's jurisdiction for corruption and maladministration complaints.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Private citizens are outside Lokayukta Rajasthan's jurisdiction because it handles complaints involving ministers, state functionaries, officers and employees, not ordinary private individuals.
- (B) Central government employees are not a state-level Lokayukta category; corruption complaints against central public functionaries fall under the Lokpal framework instead.
- (C) The judiciary is not the target class here; Lokayukta inquiries are limited to state ministers, MLAs and public servants.
Concept
The ombudsman mechanism forms part of Rajasthan's political and administrative system. RAS preparation requires a clear separation between state accountability institutions, central bodies and unrelated constitutional offices.