Bahraich (UP): A day after Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik said the Lokayukta Amendment Bill, recently passed by the Assembly, was under his consideration, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav who shared the dais with him here refused to comment on the issue. “Its answer will be given by Governor sahab,” Akhilesh told reporters when asked about Raj Bhawan not giving its assent to the Bill. When asked the same question, the Governor said, “Is par abhi kuch nahi kahunga (I will not say anything on this at this moment).”
The state government and the Governor have been on different pages over the appointment of a Lokayukta, a bill regarding which was passed by the assembly in the last monsoon session. UP Assembly last month passed Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2015, to amend Lokayukta Act dropping Allahabad High Court Chief Justice from the selection committee. The committee was made a four-member body comprising CM, Leader of the Opposition, Speaker and a retired judge and the judge is to be selected in consultation with CM and Speaker.
In a release the Raj Bhawan had said yesterday that the governor is considering the Bill and a decision in this regard will be taken after proper examination. The amendment was passed following differences between the government and Raj Bhawan over appointment of justice (retd) Ravindra Singh as Lokayukta.
The Governor had refused to accept the appointment on the grounds that proper meeting of the selection committee was not held and also Allahabad HC Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud had expressed reservations citing Singh’s proximity to the ruling Samajwadi Party.
