Rawat hopes Lokayukta soon in Uttarakhand

Amid controversy surrounding the appointment of Lokayukta in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat today expressed hope for an early constitution of the anti-corruption authority in the state.
Speaking to reporters here, Rawat said he has spoken to Uttarakhand High Court's Chief Justice K M Joseph regarding constitution of the Lokayukta in the state.
"We are waiting for the agreement of the Chief Justice, following which the procedures for the appointment would begin," he said.
The Chief Minister also hoped that appointment to the post of the Lokayukta as well as other vacant posts of Information Commission will begin in the new year.

Speaking on the controversy over the proposed Smart City developments on the land of Tea Estates, Rawat said the cost of plots and houses built in this area would be kept lower than market rates to benefit the middle and lower class.
He also dubbed as "sponsored" the opposition shown to proposed project in Uttarakhand as he asked state BJP to reach out to the Centre if the party had any concerns related to 'Smart City' project, which he called Modi government's "brain-child".

He also asked opposition BJP to come up with an alternative land instead of opposing its development in tea gardens, adding that the city municipal corporation would have developed smart city it had land available for the purpose.

"We had two options - either create a smart city on tea gardens or step back from the project," Rawat said.
The Chief Minister also said that since the "idea" of the Smart City was good, he had no qualms in accepting the central scheme.
Responding to queries on why he has not shifted into the newly-constructed Chief Minister's bungalow, Rawat said being a simple man from humble background, he was satisfied with his current accommodation.