The differences between Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav over some pending bills hung heavy in the air even as the two shared the same dais with smile on their faces, to participate at a function for leprosy patients at Bahraich.
Both the Governor and CM flew into Bahraich on the same helicopter to participate at the programme on Wednesday.
Mobbed by the media at the Police lines for his comment on the two pending bills, Naik said : “I cannot say anything on this subject.” CM Akhilesh Yadav too ducked similar questions directing the media to get the answer from the Governor. Yadav however added that ‘his government had good relatrions with Raj Bhawan and they were working on it to make it better’.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Akhilesh Yadav announced to hike the amount paid to leprosy afflicted persons from Rs 500 to Rs 2500.
Governor Ram Naik in his address termed the programme as historic. Citing example of law that allows leprosy to be treated as a basis for divorce, Naik said there were 17 such legislations which needed to be amended. “I had presented a petition in Parliament in 2007 in this regard. Both the law Commission and Parliamentary Committee have recommended amendments and I hope it will be passed in the next Parliament session,” he said.
Earlier the Governor had held back two Bills - one, UP lokayykta and UP-lokayukta(Amendment) Bill 2015 which envisages changes in the appointment committee for lokayukta by removing the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court as a member of the committee. The government has rceommended a four-member body comprising CM, leader of the Opposition, Speaker and a retired judge (who is to be selected by the CM and Speaker). The Raj Bhawan on its part wants to take a decisoion after a proper examination.
The Raj Bhawan and the government again came to a head when Justice (retd) Ravindra Singh was appointed as lokayukta. The Governor refused to accept it saying proper meeting of the selection committee was not held. Besides, Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, D Y Chandrachud too expressed reservations citing Singh’s proximity to the ruling party.