Lokayukta appointment after examining SC orders: Odisha Govt

Bhubaneswar: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh on Thursday said the Odisha government will take appropriate action on the appointment of Lokayukta after examining the orders passed by the Supreme Court.

“The state government will examine the orders passed by the Supreme Court and after examining the same, appropriate action will be taken,” State Parliamentary Affairs Minister B.K. Arukha informed the Assembly.

“Related matters pertaining to Lokayuktas with respect to different states are pending before the Supreme Court of India for decision,” the Minister said.

Notably, the Assembly continued to witness uproarious scenes for last three days over the delay in appointment of Lokayukta.

Speaker Pradip Amat convened an all-party meeting on Wednesday evening where a decision was taken that the State Government will make a statement in House on Thursday.

Accordingly, the House on Thursday returned to normalcy after three days of pandemonium. After the smooth completion of Question Hour, Minister Arukh made the statement saying appropriate action will be taken after examining the orders passed by the Supreme Court.

Notably, on March 24, the Supreme Court directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit as to whether the office of the Lokayukta in the State is functional.

The State Government, though boasted of having passed the State Lokayukta Act first in the country, has failed to appoint a Lokayukta when three years have already been passed since the President gave his nod to the new Act in 2015.