How can Lokpal be removed?
To remove the Lokpal 100 members of the Parliament need to sign the petition seeking the removal of the chairman of the Lokpal or any other members. This matter will be investigated by the Supreme Court and if SC finds the charges to be true then SC suggests the president to remove the Lokpal from the post.
Another way to remove the Lokpal is self reference of the President (on the advice of the cabinet) to the Supreme Court, which can investigate the charges.
Powers of the Lokpal are as follows;
If the Lokpal receives a complaint under the prevention of corruption act 1988, then it can initiate the investigation. If the complaint found true in the investigation then the Lokpal can ask the government to take disciplinary action against the accused public servants or can file a corruption case in a special court.
Salary and allowances of the chairman and members;
The Chairman of the Lokpal shall enjoy the same salary and allowance as of Chief Justice of India while members shall receive the same salary and allowance as those enjoyed by the justices of Supreme Court.
Who can be investigated by the Lokpal?
As per the provision of the Lokpal Act, it can investigate persons of seven categories namely;
1. Prime Minister if he/she demits the office.
2. Current and former Cabinet Ministers.
3. Current and former Members of Parliament.
4. All the class 1 officers of the Central Government like (Secretaries, Joint Secretaries etc.)
5. All the class 1 equivalent officers of the Public Sector Undertakings and other government bodies.
6. Directors and other officers of the Non Government Organisations which receives funding from the Central Government.
7. Directors and other officers of the Non Government Organisations which receives the fund from the public and which have annual income of more than Rs. 10 lac from a foreign contributor and receives Rs. 1 cr from the government.
In the concluding remarks it would be wise to say that before Lokpal; India already have some anti corruption agencies like Central Vigilance Commissioner, Central Bureau of Investigation but the practice of corruption is still prevalent in the country.
So the composition of another anti corruption agency will not create much difference because the corruption is in the minds of the general public, who promote corruption in the daily life to benefit themselves.