Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said that the state government does not to intend to weaken the institution of the Lokayukta and that recent amendments made to the Goa Lokayukta Act will not weaken the powers of the Lokayukta.
“All amendments, which have been carried out to Lokayukta Act have been carried out for smooth functioning of the Lokayukta Institution. Amendment have been carried out to Goa Lokayukta Act, 2011 for its smooth functioning,’ said CM
He further said that the Government amended Goa Lokayukta Act, 2011 as it was difficult to get retired Chief Justices of High Court and retired judges of Supreme Court for appointing as Lokayukta and therefore Section 3 Sub-section 2 was ammended so that Judge of Supreme Court or retired Judge of High Court could be appointed as Lokayukta.
Goa Assembly has passed Goa Lokayukta (amendment) bill, 2021, amidst criticism by the opposition that the bill seeks to dilute powers of the ombudsman.
According to the bill a person to be appointed as the Lokayukta shall be a person who has held the office of a Judge of the Supreme Court, or of a Judge of the High Court.