Himachal Lokayukta set to get more teeth

The Himachal Lokayukta would be strengthened shortly, the state’s new Lokayukta Justice (retd) LS Panta said here soon after taking oath as the new Lokayukta.

“Soon the office of the Lokayukta will be given investigative and suo motu powers,” Panta told reporters on Friday after the swearing-in at the Raj Bhavan here. He said Himachal is one of the few states in the country to take a lead in having a Lokayukta. It was set up in 1983 .

“If amendments are required they will be carried out after consulting the government,” Panta said. Until recently, he was the chairman of the National Green Tribunal and also been judge of the supreme court.

 

He has also been a judge of the Himachal high court and belongs to Jubbal in Shimla district .

He said India was the third country after Australia and New Zealand to have "green courts".

Talking to reporters chief minister P.K.Dhumal assured the Lokayukta will get more powers in order to deal effectively with corruption and abuse of power.

The chief minister's office also comes under the purview of Lokayukta.