UP Guv again returns letter on lokayukta appointment

The appointment of lokayukta in UP took another curious turn when Governor Ram Naik once against returned the file sent by Chief Minister’s office regarding appointment saying the procedure to select the new name was not followed as per the Constitution.The Governor had sent the file back only on Thursday seeking details about the process involved in the selection of the name.

The Government had sent the dossiers to the Raj Bhawan on Friday morning but by evening it was sent back with a remark that constitutional provision says that a three-member committee comprising CM, Chief Justice of High Court and leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha should hold a meeting and after a discussion new lokayukta should be selected.

“But this provision was not followed. In fact, no such meeting had ever taken place and this is a violation of Constitutional spirit,” Governor told Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.In a statement issued here by Raj Bhawan, the Governor said that Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court had suggested that a panel of three names should be prepared and those names should be discussed in the meeting of three member committee.

“In fact, such a panel was not prepared and Chief Justice’s suggestion was ignored by the Government,” the statement said.Sources said that Government had sent the name of Ravindra Singh, former High Court Judge. In its recent directive Apex court has asked the State Government to finalise the name within four week’s time.