Did we as the people of Goa get it wrong when the ManoharParrikar promised a Lokayukta within 100 days in office? Since the deadline islong gone-June 17, did the Chief Minister actually give us a different startdate?
Here’s a quick back check. His party in its’ manifesto hadpromised that the Government will bring in a new Lokayukta within 100 days ofgovernment-formation. Parrikar had first accused the Congress led UPA at theCentre for reneging on Goa’s Lokayukta Bill. But despite The Goa Lokayukta billreceiving presidential nod on May 14 and notified on May 18, nothingsubstantial has happened.
On September 12, the Cabinet has approved rules for the GoaLokayukta Act pertaining to details on the Lokayukta's functioning. But Goastill does not have a Lokayukta. For a Government that is still battling to getan unblemished State Information Commissioner in place, the choice ofLokayukta, his terms of reference and where will he operate from are just a fewof the growing number of questions. While on May 16, Parrikar wanted a GoanJudge to be a Lokayukta, on November 7, he said that his government favoured anon-Goan as a Lokayukta as a Goan one would keep on recusing himself due toconflict of interest. Goa is still waiting for its Lokayukta.
