The Goa Government should immediately initiate the process of appointing the new Goa Lokayukta by first issuing an ordinance amending the Goa Lokayukta Act to allow the post to be held by a retired High Court Judge as well.
The Goa Government earlier this year malafidely amended the Goa Lokayukta Act by irrationally restricting the appointment to only a retired Supreme Court Judge or a retired High Court Chief Justice. This has unnecessarily narrowed the choice of those eligible. The Government should not repeat its earlier mistake of entrusting the controversial Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni with the task of searching a Lokayukta. The Government should instead immediately write to the Chief Justice of India and the Chief Justices of other High Courts seeking names of persons who could ably assume the reins as Lokayukta of Goa. The disastrous fiasco in the earlier appointment of Justice B. Sudershan Reddy as the Lokayukta of Goa was there for all to see. His departure was a well pre-planned and expected move which left an unnecessary burden on the State exchequer with his 7 month sojourn in Goa. Goa needs a strong and non-partisan Lokayukta. A Yes-man Lokayukta would not be able to arrest the rampant corruption and mal administration currently prevalent in the State with the loot and plunder having grown in magnitude. The working of the Lokayukta needs to be totally insulated from any political interference or manipulation by the Government. The crucial position of Lokayukta would need a vibrant incumbent and cannot be a retirement posting at the cost of the State exchequer. The now tainted retired Supreme Court Justice A.K.Ganguly was earlier also in the zone of consideration for the post of Goa Lokayukta. Let us hope the Goa Governor would ensure that all the checks and balances are in place while selecting a person of impeccable character and unblemished integrity as the next Lokayukta of Goa. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
