The Manipur Municipality Ombudsman Act, 2013

MANIPUR GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY N0. 1 Imphal, Monday. April 1, 2013 (Chaitra 11, 1935) GOVERNMENT .OF MANIPUR SECRETARIAT ; LAW & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION Imphal, the 26th March, 2013 No. 2/18/2013—Leg/L : The followingAct ofthe Legislature, Manipur which received assent of the Govemor ofManipur on 26th March, 2013 is hereby published in the Official Gazette : THE MANIPUR MUNICIPALITY OMBUDSMAN ACT, 20l3 (MANIPURACT NO. 3 OF 2013) AN ACT to provide a Local. Government Ombudsman for the purpose ofInvestigating charges ofcorruption and maladministration against the functionaries of urban local bodies. both elected members and officials and recommend suitable action in the State of:Manipur. Be itenacted by theLegislatureofthe StateofManipurin the Sixty-fourthYearofthe Republic of India as follows : 1. Short title, extent and commencement : . (1) This Act may be called the ManipurMunicipality OmbudsmanAct, 2013. (2) It extends to the whole ofthe State ofManipur. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may by notification in the official Gazette, appoint. IQ Definitions : In this Actt unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context : (_1) “action” means administrative action taken by way of decision, recommendation. resolutionorfindingorinexecution thereoforinexerciseofadministrativeorlegalfunctions in any othermanner and includes wilful failurein taking actionoromission to act andall other expressions relating to such action shall be construed accordingly; [2} (2) “allegation” (a) in relationto apublicservant means, any affirmation thatsuch publicservant; (i) hasabusedhisposiflmforanygamcrfavourtommseiforto anyofiaermmmmatsemharmorhmipmaw Wm;or (ii) was actuated mmdisdzargeofhisfmcflawsassuch public mntbypersonaimmtorfinpmperormmm;or (138$ guilty of“nation, favoufifism, mpotisn or tad of integrlty; (Ivjisgufltycfanyacfionasptflicmtmmdmor causestzomakeanym,wasteormwuflonofmneyor mmdfiemflmiw. (b) in relation": to a Win? mans am»r a‘firmation that such mummcmyhasdefauitedoracxedhexcmofitspowasmme Mtgeofitsmimposedmitbyiawormimthgme msmammmflmwm; (3)"compiaim‘ mans a statement of aiiegation that a pubiic senent of a munidpatityisgnfltyufcomxptbnormaladmafistrafionand indudesany refmtoan aiminrespeaofwfidtszDWermlry hasbeen pmposedorrecommendafionforenquiyhasbeenmadebycovemment; (4) ”Won” W anytmng punishable under Chapter X of the Indian Penal Code (Central M45 0:13am: unda the Prevention ofCorruption Act, 3388 (Central Act 49 1988); {5) “mministmfion' mus acting“: taken or Wm; In fume been takenmmeexa’dsedadnfinmaflvefum hamcasewnere (i) and: m, ammmwe prooamre or :3:an governing such action is Burma, mm 0W, dWmmam or nepotic and will make ffiagifimate gain or loss or win deny deseming benefits; or (ii) there is mm nagfigence or data: in taking such action, or the mimafivepmcedureormethodregmafingsudnadmwmm unduadelayandindudesmeacfimleadmmmorwasceor misuse of fund by maxim 0r Mama. (6) “ombudsman" means the Ombudsman referred to in section 3. {7) ”public servant" maans an electecf memberof the munia‘pafity including its Grairpersm or an empm‘ee or m under the munidpalftyand [3] Wananpbyeeumofanyofibeorimfimumedm filemnidwfity; . (8)‘Wmeansthe$eaem0fme0mbudsmanremedtoln sections; (9) ‘W W means an m authorised by {he Wtomminmgatmmrespedofanafiegafionor Wat. ' 3. Appdnhmtofmm: (1)1112 Governr shafLon mammofmemmm, appointa person asOmtsmnan: vaidad that the person apminted as Ombudm shout! have held fiepostofalndgeofaflightomt: mmmmecmefmmmbeforemdedng advicetao mWshalkwmuwaimeWafmeLegmmmww mmmmmwwmwmmwdtm State. (2) A pawn appointed to be the WW9 513313, We entering upon effingmakeandsubsmbebeforememmranoathoraffirmaflon memasprmibed. 4.. Yaw-m otoffioeandwndfimsofmfimofiomm: (1)9amnsappoinmda50rnmxismanshafibddafficeforamofflve mrsfiargfiaedatemwhichheentasumnhfisofice; Provided that. (a) the Omtmdsman my, by writing Wider this hamfi warm to the W, resign his office; and (mthepersonsappomtedasomwsmanmayberemfmm meinmmamerprescfibedmmms. (2) "the salaries and almances payabie no, and other m and mm of the service of the Ombudsman shait be, m as, my beprwcdhedbymsmmnmem. [4] {3) Onexpiryafhistaermofomceasmmmsmamhamnnotbe eagibie for re-appointmmt as OWWn. . 5. mam: (1)1?1e0mbumanshafinotberemedmhisoflficemptbyan ordercfmeewemor,passadaflaeranaddressbyfi1esm Legislamre,amportedbyamiorityofmetataimanbashipofthe Homagmbeenmdtomemmmmemmfor such mat, on mgrmndofprmed misbehavmror incapacity. (2}Theprocedureofmepresamtationofan addressunderwb—secfion (1} and fortheinmfigaflm and ptoofofme flashehaviouror incapadty omeOmbudsmanshaflbeasmvidedinmeludgsamuirflm, 1968inre£atioc1totmmdameandaccadngythe mmammmitmmmutam,apmmmmme mainfthembudsmanasmeyappiyinremionmmremovaiof am. Staffof tho MWm (1)1116Wfl5h39fi3V83W,aMsmhotheroffmsand emptoyeas as the W my detamine to assist the OmbudsmanmmeememiseofitsmanddMargeofm fummmism. (2) The apmunent and mm of mice of we Secretary and the mphyeesshafibesuchasmaybespedfiedbymemt (3) The officers and other mpioyees Mamet! to tn sub-seam (1) shah be under the administrative and cfisdpflnanr contra! of the Wanao. (4) Witfmu: prejudice to the: provisions of subsection (1), the Bowman may for the purpose of (nominating tram under this Act utiiize we service of: (a) any officer or investigating agency ofthe State Went; or (b) any other agamty (S) The Ombudsman may requisition the services of any pawn having expaieme and exoa'tm in any new sumac: in deciéing the questions before it. [5] Functions at the 0mm“: (1) The Ombudsman Shea perfonn at“: any of the fnliowirg {Ln-beams, nameiy: (a) invesugate into any aflegation contained in a mpiaint or on a reference from Government, or that 1333 come to the notice of the Ombudsman; (b) enquire into any complaint 3:: which corruption or maiadministratm of a public servant. of a local mmmmt Institution is aiieged; (c) pass an order on the aimafim-m the foilming manner, mew: (i) Where the irreguiarity 31mm 3 aimina! offence committed by a pubiic want, the matter snail be referred to the agorapriate mthority for investigation (ii) Where the irregularity causes m or immvmience to a citizent mm the munidpaffty to give him compensation and to reimburse the {ass from the person responsibie for the irregularity; (iii) Where the Irregularity invokes £055 or waste or misuse of the fund of the iocai 9mm mm, direct the municipaiity to reatise such tea from mse who are mnsibhe for such irreguiarity, and (iv) Where the irreguiarity is due to answer: or inaction, cause to supply the mansion and {a rectify the mismke. {2) In admfim to the functions enumerated ifi sub-section {1), the Wm“ may pass fitterim order rmining the municipality from doing anything detrimentai to the interest of the mpiainant if it is 53W that much loss or injury wili be caused to the comptainant due to the afleged act. (3) The Ombudsman may by order, impasse penaity m addition to compensation if it (5 of opinfion that the irreguiarfty invoives corrupt ‘ practice for persona! gain. Pumas of the Ombudmn; (1) The Ombudsman shafi, for the purpose of any investigation or enquiry underthisAct,havethammepowersasarevestedlnaCivfiCourt while twfng a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Central Act: v of 1908) in respect of the fotbwmg matters, namefy: [6] (a) summing and enforcing the attendance of any witness and mmfnfing him; (b) making the discovery and reduction of any documeniz; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d)requis§tioninganyp®ficrmds,orcopyttaeoffromany Courtoromce; (e) magmmmmrfineexanmofwimess; (f) mwia'powersasaeprmbed. {2) Where the Ombudsman finds that the afiegafion contained in mwmismammmormadaiinnamreamayby am directtflemplahamto payto meoppositeparty an amnt spedfiedmmmhywaydm (3) Wheretieafiegation mandinacomplamwabouttheiossor mempmafionoffiwfmdofmemwficipafityormrespect of the toss o: fmmvenimca caused to a citim, the Ombudsman my,durim may,ch evidence, mmmetheiossanddirect masordermeamomtmberaisedfrommepasonraponsible. (4)1fmeamomtmbe'padaspermea’derpmdbythe0mbudsman unfiersuirsectionfi)ors:b—sectim(3)lsmtpaidwififinfl1epafiod speciflwwmthesameshaflberemverablebyaevermeaecovew Proceedingsasifltwe'emarrearoflandm. 9. MOB of WI: Department: The Government may, at the ream of the 0mm, make availam me set-vim of cfficers and W of the W induding poiicae personnei to assist the Ombzxisman in the conduct of :33th and enquiry and in respect of suchfunmssuchomcerorempbyeeshaflbedeemedmbetheofficea anybyeeofmeOmbudma-L immirestigaflnm (I) TheOmbud‘sman mamaocommgmthenbvbiomofmisuawqm into any complaintfised beforeitmda: thisAct. (2) Notwimstanding anytifing mntainad in this Act, the W my refer any aliegation of mpfim or mum against a municmafity or a pub“: m who is within its lambdge or brought: toitsmficeofmeomnaadflwcmbmsraflmimmm it as if it was a mptaint med W this Act. [7] (3) The Ombudsman may, on remipt of a complaint, conduct an Winthemattarandwhaathmispfimafadecaseitmay Wamfiedenqm. (4) The (Amman shat; not mire mm mm rdaflng to: (a) any matter in respect. of which a W and pubfic enquiry has beenorderedbyGovemen-ct; (b) anymttainrespoctofwhicharemedyisavafiablefrmm Tribunais'formunlcipaifly; (c) anymMrespectofManenquiryhasbeenordered under the Commission of Inquiries Act, 1952 (Centrai Mt 60 of 1952)oranymat¥aerpendingbefaeacowt; (d) anymotaimfibdamrfiiemryofmreemsfmmmedabe onwhichmematteroompsamd against Mempiace: Provided that the Ombudsman may entertain such complaint if the complainant satisfies that be had sufficient reason for not flfing the compiaint within the specified period. 11. Enquiry: (1) Aka an investigation If the Ombudsman is safisfied that: (a) the molamt is frivolous or vacations or is not made in good faith; or (23) time is no sufficient ground to inmate prooeefings; or (c) other remedtes are avaéiame to the complainant and it mold be more beneficiat for the mpiainant :30 mi; of such remed§es in vbwofmecfrcumstamoftheoase, it may dispose of the compiamt as rejeched after recording its findings stating the reason therefore, and municate me same so the mphinant. (2:) If, the Ombudsnan is of opinion tint there is a prime-fade case against the person or the ioca! government Institution complained of it shafl record its f‘mdings to this effect and send notices ofthe proposed enquiry to the mmpkainant and {:0 the opposite party. (3) W Ombudsman shals, SLbjeck to the provisions of this Act and the ram made there under, have power an reguiahe its motives by fixing the time and piace ofsitting. (4) In any proceeangs before the ombudsman, no logo: practitioner wilt be permitted to represent any paw, unit-2&9 the Ombudsman [8] permits,oyanoroer,apersontoberepresentedbyaiegai practitionerforreaoonstoberecorded. 12. Existing cases to be Muster-red mambudsman: {1) Notwifiaanding anything oontakxad in any other law, if any proceedings, filed and not dismsed of under the said Act, were the maroon of Ombudsman as per the provisions of this Act, reiate to a public servant or murfldmlity as per the mesons of this Act, an cases with regard to wchpfooeedings shall be tmsferreo to the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman shall decide the cases in accordance with the provisions of this Act. (2) All oases, with rewrd to the loss, wastage and misappropriation of any land a“ the municipality, pending before the Government or any other authority and disposed of just before the constitufim of Ombudsman and the Ombudsman shat! dispose of the cases in accordance with the provisions ofthis Act. 13‘ Initiafion of Won: (1) If, after an investigation or moon-y, the Ombudsman finds that there is a primawfade case against me accused Involvhg a criminal offence, the Ombudmn may Me the complaint and the findings to a competent authority with recommemlation to initiate prosecm. (2) “me authorfty responsible for initiating such prosecution shail conduct a detailed enquiry if neoeesary and charge a case. 14. W ofomnpiakats. — (1) The Ombudsman may consider and dispose of compiaints other than those humming criminal offences, in the fohowing manner, — (an) award of cooper-seam, to a citizen in case of loss or grievance; (h) Greer the recovery of loss caused to the locaé government. institution from the 98500 responsible; (c) order the sum of mission or rectification of defects due to motion; (d) order the recovery of toss from the accused faiiing which, order reaiisatioo through Woe Recovery Proceedings; (e) order othe' necessary remedied measwes considering the fans and cimumfianoes ofthe meet [9] (2) Whereas the 0:13an finds that the procedure or practice regarding the ministration of municipatity gives room for compteint it may give suggestions to the Government or municipaiity relating to the measwes for avoiding the recurrence of such - comaiadnt (3') The Ombudsman shaft submit an annual! report regarding the performance of its functions under this Act to the Government and the Government shalt Kay it before the Leglsiattme Assembiy with an expianatory memorandum. ‘ 15. Powers to make nice: The Government may make rules in respect of the foilmwing matters, nameiyz- (1) the salaries and allowances and other conditions of servioe of the Ombudsman, his officers and staff; V (2) the form and me of fiiing complaints before the Ombudsman and the manner of tilting cases either suo mote or on reference by the State Government; (3) the manner and procedure ofomducting investigation; (4) procedure for moving the aporomiate authority for the initiation of prosecution; (5) promdue to be, foibwed during the inquiry, which as far as me, be summary proceedings; (6) the m of implementing the order of the Ombudsman and father promedings; (7) any other matter which the Government may deem necessary to pram’be. TH. KAMINI KUMAR SINGH, Joint Secretary (law), Governmentof Manipur. PT‘TISd at the Directorate of Printing & Stationery, Govt. of Manipur/300-C/1—4—20]3.