Talking to newsmen here, Justice Vashist expressed shock that there was only one complaint with a vague reference to a Minister. The office of Lokayukta was not an extension of the government but an independent authority, he pointed out, adding that the government loses control over the Lokayukta after appointing him. "However, we are not hostile to the government," he emphasised.

Justice Vashist said he had received 53 complaints against gazetted officers, 46 against non-gazetted officers and 11 general complaints. While 24 complaints against gazetted officers were pending, 24 were pending against non-gazetted officers. "Most of these were minor complaints against junior state government officials, but we really want to focus on senior functionaries," he added.

Justice Vashist said the institution of Lokayukta or Lokpal had been set up in 14 states, but it had failed to deliver the desired results except in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In Haryana, the Lokayukta Act had given all the powers of a regular court with regard to obtaining information and records from the state government, he pointed out. It also empowers the Lokayukta to look into and provide appropriate relief with regard to complaints or grievances of violation of human rights by the state apparatus.

He said the Act was a unique piece of legislation as it took within its ambit all the ministers including the chief minister, members of the Legislative Assembly including the Speaker, municipal councillors including mayor and president, chairmen, vice-chairmen, managing directors and members of boards and corporations directly or indirectly under the control of the government.