SHILLONG: The first Chairperson of the Meghalaya Lokayukta, Pranoy Kumar Musahary, who was administered oath by Governor Tathagata Roy at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday, asked the people to file complaints against any irregularity.
Speaking to media persons after the swearing in ceremony, Musahary stressed the need to make the people aware about the existence of the Lokayukta and its powers and functions.
The public should approach the Commission and lodge complaints if they come across any irregularity, he said.
“Without public complaint, I cannot proceed,” he said while maintaining that he would proceed with the task assigned to him as per the rules and provisions.
He would also request the state government to appoint other members of the Lokayukta at the earliest.
Musahary said he would also urge the state government to appoint officers in the rank of Secretary and SP to the Commission who will conduct preliminary inquiry into the allegations and complaints about corruption.
Besides the chairperson, four members constitute the Meghalaya Lokayukta.
The chairperson will function pending the appointment of the members.
The appointment of the Meghalaya Lokayukta comes four and a half years after the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act, 2014, was notified by the government in March 2014.
In July this year, the select committee had approved the name of Musahary, retired judge of the Gauhati High Court as the Lokayukta chief.
There was pressure from the Supreme Court for states, including Meghalaya, to complete the process of appointing Lokayukta at the earliest.
Neither Chief Minister Conrad Sangma nor Home Minister James Sangma was present.
Cabinet Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma and senior government officials among others attended the swearing in ceremony.
Mukul, while expressing happiness over the appointment, said that it is a red letter day for the state.
