HC to State Govt : Why no Lokayukta ?
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 02 2015:
The State Govt has been sent a notice by the High Court of Manipur to furnish reason for not establishing Lok Ayukta in the State.
The High Court of Manipur's notice to the State Govt is returnable within eight weeks.
A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Laxmikanta Mohapatra and Justice N Kotiswar Singh sent the notice to the State Govt today after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by social activist and Advocate Y Priyokumar.
State of Manipur (through Chief Secretary), Commissioner/Secretary Dept of Personnel and Administrative Reform and Law Secretary, Govt of Manipur are listed as respondents.
Speaking to reporters, Counsel of the petitioner, Sr Advocate Khaidem Mani said that no Lok Ayukta has been established in the State although The Lok Pal and Lok Ayuktas Act, 2013 came into force from January 16, 2014 after the same was passed by the Parliament.
Under Section 63 of the Act, Lok Ayukta is to be established in all States/UTs within one year after the enforcement of the Act, he said.
The Manipur Legislative Assembly also passed the Lok Ayukta Bill.
A Gazette notification was issued on Oct 3, 2014 saying the Act has been in force in the State.
However, even after a lapse of one year, no Constitutional body or panel known as Lok Ayukta has been set up in the State, Khaidem Mani said.
The Chairperson of the Lok Ayukta should be a retired or serving Chief Justice or Judge of a High Court.
It should have two members and one of them should be a judicial member.