State Lokayukta still remains on paper

Though the policy note of the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department stated that the chairman and two judicial members have assumed office and have commenced functioning in the Tamil Nadu Lokayukta, anti-corruption activists claim the Lokayukta does not even have an office to start receiving complaints or petitions.

On Tuesday, SC vacated the Madras HC stay that stalled the appointment of two non-judicial members M Rajaram, a former member of the TN Public Service Commission and K Arumugam, a functionary of the AIADMK’s advocate wing. The court, in its April 4 order, however, did not stay the functioning of the Lokayukta.

Advocate R Rajendaran of Karur on whose writ petition the HC stayed the appointments said that the court had only stayed the appointments but not the functioning of the Lokayukta. “The SC asked the HC to dispose of the writ petition speedily,” he said.

Jayaram Venkatesan of Arappor Iyakkam said that the Lokayukta did not have an office for complaints to be filed. “It only shows the state’s lack of interest in setting up the Lokayukta. Thanks to the SC deadline, atleast the Lokayukta act was passed, he said.

Law Minister C Ve Shanmugham said that the Lokayukta functions from Justice Devadass’s home as camp office. “We have identified two places for the Lokayukta’s office. We will decide on one in the coming week,” he said, adding that though they were receiving complaints, the cases could be heard only with full members functioning. “With the SC vacating the stay on the appointment of the  non-judicial members, the Lokayukta will start hearing the complaints,” he said.