Lokayukta chairman yet to assume office

SHILLONG: The chairman of Meghalaya Lokayukta, Pranoy Kumar Musahary, is yet to assume office as he has not taken oath.
Earlier on Wednesday, Ranjan Mukherjee, the counsel appearing for the state government, had apprised the Supreme Court that Musahary, a retired judge of the Gauhati High Court, has been appointed as the chairperson of the Lokayukta and he has assumed office.
However, a state government official confirmed that the retired judge has not assumed office.
According to the official, the chairman can assume office only after he takes oath before the Meghalaya governor.
“It is a fact that the chairman has been appointed but we will be fixing a day for him to take oath,” the official added.
Regarding other members of the Lokayukta, the official added that the Lokayukta can start functioning immediately even without members as they can be appointed later.
The Supreme Court had heard several times the pending case related to states which had not formed the Lokayukta.
Earlier, the court had asked 11 states, including Meghalaya, to explain the five-year delay in appointing the anti-corruption panel.