TNI Bureau: The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to complete the process of amending the Odisha Lokayukta Act, 2014 and appoint a new Lokayukta Chairperson and Members within six weeks.

The direction was issued while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed over delays in filling vacancies in the anti-corruption body. During the hearing, the Advocate General informed the Court that amendments to the existing Act were required to facilitate fresh appointments.

Accepting the submission, the Bench granted limited time to the state but made it clear that both the legislative amendments and the appointment process must be completed within the stipulated six-week period. The Court stressed the need for urgent action to restore the functioning of the Lokayukta.

The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled after six weeks. The PIL highlighted that the Lokayukta has remained largely non-functional since mid-2024 due to the absence of a Chairperson and Members.