In a setback to the Akhilesh Yadav government, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik Thursday returned the file proposing the name of Justice (retired) Ravindra Singh as the state’s new Lokayukta. On Tuesday, the state Cabinet had cleared Ravindra Singh’s name for the post. The file in this regard was sent to the Raj Bhawan Thursday. However, Governor Ram Naik returned the file and sought details about the communication between the Chief Minister, the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly and the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, including the letters exchanged. “The law says that the Lokayukta should be selected by there members i.e. the Chief Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court. As I was only sent the name, I have asked for details about the consultation process including all the communication between the CM, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice,” the Governor said. Sources claimed that Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court DY Chandrachud was not in favour of Ravindra Singh’s name. Earlier, the state government wanted to completely do away with the clause that sought consultation among the three at a formal committee meeting over a list of names suggested by the government. According to sources, the Governor wanted to know whether such a meeting took place or whether there was any panel formed for selection of the state Lokayukta. Interestingly, the Governor was yet to clear five names proposed by the state government for nomination as members of the Legislative Council. The appointment of the state Lokayukta has been pending for a long time in Uttar Pradesh. Recently, the state government was also sent a notice by the SC, based on a PIL filed in this regard.
