NEW DELHI: In the first indication that the Centre could finally bring Lokpal, the anti-corruption ombudsman, theNarendra Modi government has notified that only those private entities with an annual income of Rs 1 crore and above, and which are funded by the government, will come under the Lokpal's ambit.
It has also been notified by the Centre that Minister—in-Charge of the Ministry making the highest funding to such a private entity will be the 'competent authority' which would offer comments to the investigating authority under Lokpal at the stage of a preliminary inquiry and to the Lokpal bench before filing of a chargesheet.NGOs receiving foreign contribution of over Rs 10 lakh in a year were already put under Lokpal's ambit as per the 2013 Act. The government has now notified that the 'competent authority' to be referred in respect of action against NGOs by the Lokpal will be the Union Home Minister.This would mean the Minister whose department makes the biggest funding to a private entity and the Home Minister in respect of NGO's getting foreign aid will be a major voice in determining fate of Lokpal's corruption inquiries. The Rs 1 crore annual income limit fixed in respect of societies, association of persons or trusts (wholly or partly funded by government) is aimed at checking an anticipated deluge of complaints at Lokpal in respect of private entities.