P K Misra sworn in as Lokayukta, CM ‘happy’

Panaji: Retired justice P K Misra was administered oath of office as Lokayukta of Goa by governor Mridula Sinha, at the Raj Bhavan, on Thursday.
Misra, who has also served as Chief Justice of the Patna high court, told reporters that he would look into the twenty-odd cases pending before the Lokayukta and issue fresh notices to parties concerned.
Chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar said he was happy to see the Lokayukta finally in place.
Necessary staff has been allocated for the office to be able to function efficiently. The public works department (PWD) is presently refurbishing a part of the old medical college building at Ribandar, where the Lokayukta's office will be shifted within 15 to 30 days, as soon as the work is complete.
The premises will be spacious, fully equipped and permanent, Parsekar said, adding that the office is free to approach the secretary or deputy chief minister for anything else they may need.
The Goa cabinet recommended Misra's name for Lokayukta last week. Misra had served as chairperson of Goa human rights commission, and retired on March 4, 2016.
The post of Goa Lokayukta was lying vacant since October 17, 2013 after retired justice Sudarshan Reddy resigned citing personal reasons.
A petition was filed at the high court of Bombay at Goa seeking direction to the state government to appoint a Lokayukta and this quickened the appointment process. The BJP, in its election manifesto, had promised to appoint a Lokayukta within 100 days of coming to power.
Present on the occasion were chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, deputy chief minister Francis D'Souza, chief secretary R K Srivastava, tourism minister Dilip Parukelar and deputy speaker Vishnu Wagh among others.