HC issues notice to government on Lokayukta appointment

Cuttack, May 3 (PTI) The Orissa High Court today issued notices to the state government asking its Chief Secretary and Law Secretary to file affidavits in three weeks on a public interest litigation seeking immediate appointment of Lokayukta in the state under Odisha Lokayukta Act of 2014.

The PIL was filed by former legislator Uma Ballav Rath of Puri district.

The petition says that after the death of Justice P K Patra, the last Lok Pal of the state in January, 2013, the office of the Lok Pal in Odisha virtually lay defunct, thereby depriving statutory and constitutional rights of the people in exposing corrupt practices of public functionaries.

This is due to inaction of the government in appointing a Lokayukta, the petitioner alleges.