Meghalaya Lokayukta yet to clear hurdles

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Lokayukta is yet to become functional despite the nod of the selection committee headed by the Chief Minister and the warrant of appointment by the Governor.
Earlier, Pranoy Kumar Musahary, retired judge of the Gauhati High Court, was appointed as the chairman of the Lokayukta.
The government’s plan was to make the Lokayukta functional with the assumption of office of the lone chairperson without the members. However, the chairman is yet to assume office. A source said the Political Department is consulting the Law Department to know whether the chairperson can function alone.
According to the Lokayukta Act, a chairman and four members constitute the Lokayukta.
“The Law Department is yet to give its opinion in the matter,” an official source said.
Earlier, the decision to appoint a Lokayukta chairman was communicated to the Supreme Court since the court wanted all the states to complete the process of appointment at the earliest.