Team Herald
PANJIM: After nearly two-and-a-half years, the cabinet has finally recommended the name of retired Justice P K Mishra, former chairman of Goa Human Rights Commission, as the new Lokayukta for Goa. The post has been vacant since October 2013.
Addressing media persons soon after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said the cabinet has decided to recommend that the Governor appoint Justice (retired) Mishra as new State Lokayukta, as provided under section 3 of the Goa Lokayukta Act.
“In view of the concurrence of the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court and the Leader of Opposition the government’s intends to appoint Justice Mishra as Lokayukta,” he said. The proposal has also been approved by the Vigilance department, Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister said that as per the Lokayukta Act, the Governor is the final authority to appoint the Lokayukta on the advice tendered by the Chief Minister, in consultation with the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court and the Leader of the Opposition. “It also speaks that a person to be appointed as Lokayukta shall be a person who has held the office of a judge of the Supreme Court or a Chief Justice of the High Court,” he said.
Mishra had retired as chief justice of Patna High Court before taking up his assignment in Goa.
In October 2013, the first Goa Lokayukta, Justice (retd) B Sudarshan Reddy, had quit from his post citing personal reasons. He had assumed charge in March 2013.
His resignation left investigations of 21 cases, including the crucial illegal mining scam and the recruitments in government department, pending before the ombudsman in the State.
