Amidst row over designated Gujarat Ombudsman (lokayukta) retired Justice RA. Mehta’s denial to take charge, Gujarat Government clarified its stand that preparations were already initiated to create infrastructure facilities for the new lokayukta.
Justice Mehta in his seven-page letter to Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal had mentioned that a lokayukta unwanted by the Government cannot get all necessary and timely support from a reluctant Government.
However, the State Government maintains that already Government machinery was active to make sure that he would get all the facilities, a lokayukta would require. “The State Road & Building department was asked to renovate lokayukta office which was vacant for over a decade. Apart from preparation of Mehta’s swearing-in ceremony, indent for his car was also put out,” said an official source.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision in favour of Mehta’s appointment, the State Government had informed him about his office and staff without any delay, said a senior official.
No sooner the curative petition was dismissed by the apex court, the State General Administrative Department (GAD) was to contact Mehta for his convenient day to take oath as Gujarat lokayukta. “He, however, went abroad and contact was not established. On his return, the retired Justice decline to take charge,” added the source.