Rawat flayed for failing to appoint Lok Ayukta

Says due to the enforcement of the election code of conduct, we cannot take steps for the appointment of the Lok Ayukta

The Uttarakhand government is not ready to appoint the new Lok Ayukta, the Opposition said on Thursday.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat, however, said the government was keen on appointing the Lok Ayukta and will take all steps in this regard.

"Due to the enforcement of the election code of conduct, we cannot take steps for the appointment of the Lok Ayukta. But we will certainly do it soon," the chief minister said.

Only four days are left for the mandatory 180 days within which the post of Lok Ayukta should be filled after it is operationalised, according to the new Act. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former chief minister B C Khanduri said, "The chief minister lacks the political will to fight corruption."

Governor Aziz Qureshi had early this year given his assent to the new Lok Ayukta Act which was passed by the Assembly in January. Since then, the government has not been able to find a suitable candidate to be made Lok Ayukta.

"On August 26, the mandatory 180 days will expire. But this government is not sincere," said Ajay Bhatt, the leader of the opposition.

A special session of the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha in January had passed the new Bill after repealing the previous Lok Ayukta Act introduced by B C Khanduri-led Bharatiya Janata Party government in 2011.

Under the new Bill, the Lok Ayukta will be headed by a retired high court judge and will have five members. The post of the chief minister has been brought under the ambit of the Lok Ayukta. One chair in the Lok Ayukta will be reserved for women. Another will be from SC, ST or the minorities group. Officials said the implementation of the new Bill can take longer.

President Mukherjee had in September given his assent to the Uttarakhand Lok Ayukta Act.

IN HOT WATER

• Cannot appoint Lok Ayukta now as the poll code of conduct is in place, says Chief Minister Harish Rawat
   
• Mandatory to fill the post within 180 days of operationalising the Act
   
• The mandatory period ends on August 26
   
• The Lok Ayukta Bill was passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly in January
   
• The Lok Ayukta will be headed by a retired high court judge and will have five members.
   
• Chief minister to come under its ambit