The impasse over selection of new lokayukta in Uttar Pradesh continues as the meeting held here on Sunday failed to shortlist the Ombudsman following Chief Justice of Allahabad raising question over selection process’ validity.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud questioned the validity of the procedure adopted by the government for selection of lokayukta following lokayukta Amendment Bill passed by the state government in both Houses of state legislature during Monsoon session.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that the selection of new lokayukta will take more time. “The meeting was held on Sunday but we have failed to reach a consensus. The process will take much more time,” Yadav said.
Chief Minister held a meeting with leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Swamy Prasad Maurya and Justice Chandrachud at his official residence of 5, Kalidas Marg here on Sunday. The meeting continued for almost 30 minutes.
Swamy Prasad Maurya told reporters that as soon as the meeting began Chief Justice raised questions over the validity of the meeting. “He said as the government has passed a bill bringing changes in the lokayukta Act, the selection of new incumbent through a three member committee could be challenged,” he said and added that Chief Justice has suggested Government to take a legal opinion on this issue.
“I suggested that as the Bill is still pending with Governor the selection could be carried out through old method. But Chief Justice insisted on taking a legal opinion on whole issue,” Maurya said.
"The next meeting will be held sometimes in next week,. Chief Minister will take a call on this issue,” he said.
The UP Assembly had last month passed the Uttar Pradesh lokayukta and Up-lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2015, to amend lokayukta Act, dropping the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice from the selection committee.
The Bill proposed that the selection committee be made a four-member body comprising the chief minister, leader of Opposition, Speaker and a retired judge who would be selected in consultation by the chief minister and the Speaker.
The apex court on July 23 last had directed the UP government to complete the appointment of the lokayukta within 4 weeks time by joint consultation between the state government, leader of the opposition in the assembly and the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.