The appointment of lokayukta took a new turn when Governor Ram Naik returned the file sent by Chief Minister’s office regarding appointment of new incumbent seeking more details about the “process involved in the selection of the name.”
“I have just asked about the details of communication between the Chief Minister, Chief Justice of High Court and leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha. I do not know what transpired between the three. So, I have asked the government to send me the file,” Naik told The Pioneer here on Thursday. He, however, did not reveal the name suggested by the government but said he is following what the Constitution expects him to do.
Government had sent the name to the Governor for his approval after cabinet cleared the name in its meeting on Tuesday. Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan had told The Pioneer that the cabinet had discussed Court directive on selection of new lokayukta.
In its recent directive Apex court has asked the state government to finalise the name within four week’s time.
A three member committee comprising CM, Chief Justice of High Court and leader of Opposition in Vidhan sabha selects the name of the candidate. Government sources say that Government had sent the name of Ravindra Singh, formet Hugh Court Judge. The Chief Justice had voiced his opposition to this name. This fact could not be verified independently.
The appointment of lokayukta was delayed in UP for almost a year and a half. The Supreme Court in its order of April 24, 2014 had directed the state government to select new incumbents to the anti-corruption ombudsman offices in six-months.
Governor had showed his concern over the delay. In his letters to Chief Justice and CM separately on June 11 he had asked both of them to expedite the process. In his letter he had written that he had earlier written to the Chief Justice and the Chief Minister on March 17 and said it was a matter of concern that despite SC orders recommendations were not received for the new appointments.
Mehrotra was appointed lokayukta for a tenure of six years on March 16, 2006 and later his tenure was extended by two years.