Mumbai: The Devendra Fadnavis Cabinet on Tuesday approved the creation of six posts in the offices of Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta (Deputy Lokayukta).
Earlier this year, the state government had appointed former director general of police (DGP) Datta Padsalgikar as Up-Lokayukta.
There are two Upa Lokayukta in the state. According to officials, these posts have been created to tackle the crunch in manpower in both the offices.
Shailesh Gandhi, former central information commissioner, said, “I have not seen single action of the Lokayukta in last many decades. Unless any accountability is fixed, the offices of Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukata will serve no purpose but become an expensive burden on the nation.”
“The decision is a good. The complainant will be satisfied as his hearings would be expedited with help of deputy registrar and office staff, said Anil Galgali, another RTI activist.
It is to be noted that Maharashtra was the first state in the country to introduce the institution of Lokayukta— anti-corruption ombudsman —through The Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act in 1971.
