Aizawl: The Mizoram government is making efforts to establish Lokayukta, the anti-corruption ombudsman, to eradicate corruption in the state.
Law minister Lalsawta told the Assembly on Friday that a search committee formed for the establishment of the ombudsman had identified the chairperson and members and details of their profile were sent to the selection committee.
The selection committee will decide on the establishment of the Lokayukta after a thorough study, he added.
The Mizoram Lokayukta Act was legislated by the Assembly in 2014 but it's establishment was delayed as the 14th Finance Commission did not allocate funds 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.
He said permission has been sought from the department of personnel and administrative reforms for the creation of new posts and steps would be taken to start recruitment after the department approves the request.
He said the government has identified an office building for the proposed Lokayukta and a private house will be occupied on rent. "Decoration and upgrade of the proposed office is in progress and agreement will soon be reached with the landlord," he said.
Chief minister and leader of the House Lal Thanhawla said the government wants an indigenous Mizo to head the proposed Lokayukta as chairman. He said establishment of the Lokayukta could not be expedited so far as the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court needs to be involved in the selection committee and has not been able to come to Mizoram as yet. He said the government was waiting for the convenience of the Chief Justice to take the final decision with Mizoram chief minister and the leader of Opposition .
Lal Thanhawla said his government was keen to establish the Lokayukta as it would be able to investigate all the government and public servants, including the chief minister.
Rs 159. 34 lakh had been allocated for the establishment the Lokayukta during the 2017-18 fiscal.
