PANAJI
The Goa government told the Bombay High Court at Goa that it had proposed the name of retired judge of the Bombay High Court U V Bakre to be the next Lokayukta and was awaiting the clearance from the Leader of Opposition before his appointment can be finalised.
During the hearing of a petition filed by Adv Aires Rodrigues, the Advocate General Devidas Pangam told the court that the file would also be sent for approval to the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court at Goa.
Rodrigues had approached the High Court over the failure of the Goa government to appoint a Lokayukta despite the previous Lokayukta having completed his term in September last year.
In January the High Court while granting the Government an extension of two months to appoint the Lokayukta had directed the State to file a compliance report.
The High Court in its order had observed that taking into consideration the mandate as well as the purpose of enactment of the Lokayukta Act, the vacancy had to be filled as expeditiously as possible so that the Institution of Goa Lokayukta functions in the State.
