New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday asked the state government to appoint Lokayukta within two months. The Odisha government Tuesday apprised the Supreme Court about its preparedness to appoint a Lokayukta after the apex court in the last hearing asked the state to report on the status of the process by July 10.
The case came for hearing before a three-judge bench of the apex court comprising Justices Ranjan Gogoi, R Banumathi and Navin Sinha. The bench also took stock of the appointments of Lokayukta and Lokpals in other states.
The state government in its status report before the court said work relating to the formation of a search committee is going on and the committee will be formed soon and as per its recommendations, the appointment of the Lokayukta could be done as soon as possible.
The SC bench after hearing the arguments and reports submitted by the state asked the latter to soon finalise the works relating to the appointment of Lokayukta and ensure its appointment within two months.
The apex court in its last order had said, “We have perused the affidavit filed by the Chief Secretary of Odisha wherein it has been stated that the Odisha Lokayukta Act, 2014 has come into force with effect from 16th January, 2015 and presently steps for framing of Orissa Search Committee Rules, etc. are under process.”
It also said, “From the affidavit filed it is also evident that after the last incumbent had died in office January 22, 2013 the state of Odisha has not had a Lokpal/Lokayukta. No reasons, save and except that the rules under the Act are under process, has been stated in the affidavit filed.”
The SC had in the last order dated April 19, 2018 said that in the above circumstances, to give effect to the provisions of Section 63 of the Central Act i.e. Lokpal and Lokayukta, 2013 the state should take immediate steps for appointment of the Lokayukta.
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