Bhubaneswar: The state government is likely to seek more time from Supreme Court for appointment of Lokayukta as no significant progress has been made in this regard so far.
While hearing a case on appointment of Lokayukta in various states including Odisha July 10 this year, the apex court had asked the state government to appoint Lokayukta in the state within three months.
The Odisha Lokayukta Bill was passed by the State Assembly in February 2014 and it got the President’s nod in 2015. The Act came into effect July 7 this year.
According to an official familiar with the issue, the selection committee headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will hold the first meeting October 6 to nominate another member of the panel.
The other members of the selection committee are Assembly Speaker, Leader of Opposition, High Court Chief Justice (or a judge nominated by him) and an eminent jurist nominated by the Governor. Secretary of general administration department is the secretary of the committee.
“The four members of the panel will meet to suggest a name for the nominee of Governor. After that, the suggested name will be sent to the Governor for his approval,” said the official in the know of things. As per the Act, the selection committee will form a five-member search team which will have a term of
two years.
The search team would enlist five people for the post of Lokayukta chairperson and 15 for Lokayukta members. It would then recommend their names to the selection panel headed by the Chief Minister.
The selection committee would then select a 6-memeber Lokayukta Mandal including the chairperson.
As the job involves a lengthy process, it is not possible for the government to complete the formalities in a few days. The Chief Secretary may file an affidavit before the apex court in this regard, sources said.
As per the Odisha Lokayukta Act, the Chief Minister, former Chief Ministers, ministers, elected peoples’ representatives and bureaucrats would come under the ambit of the Lokayukta.
Biswabhusan Mohapatra, OP
