Which of the following are the States in which the Lok Ayukta Act includes the Chief Minister in its ambit?
CMadhya Pradesh and Orissa
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation
1. The question asks in which states the Lok Ayukta Act includes the Chief Minister within its ambit (jurisdiction).
2. The Lok Ayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman organization in the Indian states.
3. The powers and jurisdiction of the Lok Ayukta, including whether the Chief Minister is covered, vary significantly from state to state as they are established by state-specific Acts.
4. As of 1995 (the year of the question), the situation regarding the inclusion of the Chief Minister under the Lok Ayukta's ambit was specific to each state's legislation at that time.
5. Historically, some states like Gujarat and Maharashtra were among the earlier states to establish Lokayuktas. Information specific to 1995 indicates that Gujarat and Maharashtra Acts did include the Chief Minister within the purview of the Lokayukta, though the specifics might vary.
6. Other states had different provisions; for instance, some explicitly excluded the CM, while others had weaker provisions or established the institution later. For example, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa Acts have also included the CM at various points, but Gujarat and Maharashtra are often cited as examples where the CM was included early on.
7. Given the options, the pair Gujarat and Maharashtra is the most plausible answer representing states where the Chief Minister was included under the Lok Ayukta's ambit around that period.
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