Expedite Lokayukta formation process: HC

Our Correspondent

Itanagar, July 21: The Itanagar Permanent Bench of Gauhati High Court has directed the Arunachal Pradesh Government to expedite the process of establishment of Lokayukta in the state so as to give effective meaning to the provisions of the Arunachal Pradesh Lokayukta Act, 2014.

While disposing two public interest litigations (PILs) filed by one Payi Gyadi who, sought the court's directives on implementation of the act to curb corruption in public offices, the court it is order yesterday directed the government to expedite the process of setting up of Lokayukta in the state.

Gyadi, in his PILs, pleaded for implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Lokayukta Act, 2014 by establishing Lokayukta without causing further delay. It was submitted that four years have gone by since enactment of the statute and the state respondents are yet to demonstrate their commitment to establish Lokayukta.

However, the counsel of state respondents produced notification dated July 5 last, issued under the hand of the Chief Secretary to the state government, which shows that a 'Search Committee' has already been constituted for preparing a panel of persons to be considered for appointment of chairperson and members of the Lokayukta.

"The said notification indicates that steps are afoot for establishing Lokayukta in terms of the aforesaid Act of 2014. Having regard to the above, we find no justification to detain adjudication of the PILs any further, save and except making a direction to the state respondents to expedite the process so as to give effective meaning to the provisions of the Arunachal Pradesh Lokayukta Act, 2014," the court in its order said.