SHILLONG: The selection committee on Meghalaya Lokayukta has finally appointed the chairman of the Lokayukta whose name will be revealed on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, after the meeting here on Tuesday, said the government has decided to go ahead with the appointment of the chairman but the name cannot be revealed since the minutes of the meeting have not been signed.
He said the government had to appoint the chairman since the Supreme Court had written to the state government to appoint the chairman at the earliest.
He also said the government is keen to do more research before appointing the members of the Lokayukta.
The Supreme Court on April 19 heard the pending case and wanted Meghalaya and other states to complete the process at the earliest.
The Meghalaya Lokayukta Act states that the chairperson of the Lokayukta will be an individual who is or has been a Chief Justice of the High Court or a Judge of the High Court or an eminent person who fulfils the eligibility of having an impeccable integrity and knowledge of the anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance, including insurance and banking, law and management for at least 25 years.
While the term of the chairman and four members is five years, they can remain in office till the age of 70 as per the Lokayukta Act. The minimum age of the chairperson and members should be 45 years.
Out of the four members to be appointed, two will be from the judiciary.
For members other than a judicial member, the candidate should be a person of impeccable integrity, outstanding ability having special knowledge and expertise of not less than 25 years in the matters relating to anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance, law and management.
