PANAJI
The State government has already set in motion the process to scout for the next Lokayukta with the term of the incumbent Justice PK Mishra nearing completion.
Goa's Advocate General, Devidas Pangam, told the Bombay High Court on Wednesday that the process to appoint the next Lokayukta has been initiated.
Pangam told a Division Bench of the High Court that a panel is being constituted to "select" the new Lokayukta.
Following Pangam's statement, the Division Bench adjourned the hearing of a petition moved by lawyer-activist Aires Rodrigues.
The court will next hear the petition on September 23, when the government is expected to state on record exactly when the new anti-corruption Ombudsman will be appointed.
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Hearing on Labour scam ends, order on Sept 9
PANAJI:
The Goa Lokayukta concluded on Wednesday the proceedings in the complaint against the State government alleging a scam in the distribution of cash assistance to labourers from the unorganised sector in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic related national lockdown.
The anti-corruption Ombudsman has now fixed the matter next on September 9, when he is expected to deliver his judgement.
The complaint was filed before the Lokayukta by Goa Foward Party (GFP) functionary, Durgadas Kamat.
It alleges that many ruling BJP party 'karyakatas' and also affiliated elected representatives at the panchayat level, who were neither labourers nor construction workers figured in the list of beneficiaries.
The scheme was meant to alleviate hardships faced by labourers from the unorganised sector who lost work and wages due to the lockdown.
Nearly Rs 13 crore drawn from a statutory labour welfare fund was distributed to around 12,800 beneficiaries.
