Khanduri asks Rawat to appoint Lokayukta soon

Former Chief Minister Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri today asked the Uttarakhand government to appoint the state Lokayukta soon, against the backdrop of alleged scam unearthed recently in relief operations during 2013 flash-floods.
Khanduri said at a press conference here that he met Chief Minister Harish Rawat today and asked him to appoint Lokayukta in order to check corruption.
On May 30, Rawat had ordered a probe into the alleged swindling of funds by state government officials during relief operations after 2013 floods through submission of inflated and forged bills.
The former Chief Minister alleged that the government is involved in corruption and held it resposible for the "poor quality" of roads and bridges in the state.

"Lokayukta is very important in checking corruption," the Pauri Garhwal MP said.
Khanduri said the Lokayukta Act passed by the state Assembly when he was Chief Minister had many tough provisions to fight corruption, but the Congress government had nullify it.
He also advised the Chief Minister to allow sand-mining in accordance with the old standard so that there is no loss of life and property in the event of flood.