The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan here today and also attended by Opposition leaders.
"The committee, which will be headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), will comprise Secretaries of General Administration and Law and Judiciary Departments," BJP MLA Devendra Fadnavis, who attended the meeting, said while talking to reporters here.
Fadnavis had tabled a private member's Bill during the just-concluded Monsoon Session of the Legislature and called for giving more powers to the anti-corruption ombudsman.
"Lokayukta in Maharashtra should get more powers," he said, adding the Chief Minister has asked the panel to submit a report before the Winter Session of the Legislature.
"The committee will study functioning of Lokayukta in other states," the Opposition legislator said.
It will also consult Advocate General. The panel will have a retired Law Secretary as a special member, he said.
The Government will take a call on making necessary changes in the present law related to Lokayukta before the Winter session of the Legislature, Fadnavis added.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi were among those present in the meeting.
The Government's decision comes months after social activist Anna Hazare undertook a state-wide campaign to press for an effective and independent Lokayukta.
Hazare had personally presented his draft of the Lokayukta Bill to Chavan. The anti-corruption crusader has dubbed the present Lokayukta mechanism in Maharashtra as "toothless".
