Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announced that the State government will shortly appoint a new Lokayukta, nearly nine months after the post fell vacant following the retirement of Justice (retd) Ambadas Joshi in December 2024.
Speaking to reporters, Sawant said, “Goa Lokayukta will be appointed at the earliest,” though he refrained from sharing a timeline or further details.
According to officials, the government has already received a panel of three names of retired judges—from Goa, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh—for consideration. Additional recommendations have also been sought from the High Court and the Supreme Court before finalising the appointment.
In February, the Directorate of Vigilance had asked the Chief Secretary to draw up a shortlist of eligible retired high court judges. The appointment will ultimately be decided by a three-member committee comprising the Chief Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and another senior member.
