Newmai News Network Aizawl | March 18 The Mizoram government is taking effort to establish Lokayukta, the anti-corruption ombudsman to eradicate corruption in the State, Mizoram law minister Lalsawta informed the Assembly house recently. He said that the search committee formed for the establishment of the ombudsman has already identified chairperson and members and details of their profiles and bio-data were sent to the selection committee. The selection committee will decide over the establishment of Lokayukta after thorough study, he said. The Mizoram Lokayukta Act was legislated by the state Assembly in 2014, but the establishment of the anti-corruption ombudsman was delayed as the 14th Finance Commission did not allocate fund for the purpose as sought by the State government. The minister told the house that the State cabinet had already agreed to create 35 new posts, including officer for the proposed Lokayukta. Permission has been sought from Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms (DP&AR) for the creation of new posts and effort will be taken to start recruitment after the DP &AR approved the request, he added. He also said the government has identified office building for the proposed Lokayukta and private house will be occupied as rent. “Decoration and upgradation of the proposed office is in progress and agreement will soon be reached with the landlord,” he said. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla said that establishment of Lokayukta could not be expedited as the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court needs to involve in the Selection Committee and that he could not come to Mizoram to take final decision. The State government, he stated, is waiting for the convenience of the Chief Justice along with Chief Minister and opposition leader for the final establishment. He added that State government was keen to establish the anti-corruption ombudsman as it would be able to investigate all the government and public servants including the Chief Minister.
