Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik today returned the file for appointment of Lokayukta to the state government saying he was not bound to accept Cabinet's recommendation and asked it to send any other name except Justice (retd) Ravindra Singh after following due procedure.
The Governor, while returning the file, said he was not bound to toe the Cabinet's decision on appointment of Lokayukta as it has it own process of appointment and the Cabinet has no role in it, a Raj Bhawan spokesman said here.
"The Governor has written letters to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Leader of the Opposition Swami Prasad Maurya and the High Court Chief Justice and expected them to soon send a name of Lokayukta except Justice (retd) Ravindra Singh keeping in mind the Supreme Court's directive in this regard and after proper discussion," he said.
"For appointment of Lokayukta, the constitutional requirement of discussion was not fulfilled legally. According to the Leader of the Opposition, there was no discussion or agreement on any name for Lokayukta and members of the selection committee were unaware what letters were exchanged or discussions held," the Governor said.
High Court Chief Justice in his opinion about Singh said due to his closeness with the ruling party, the work of the Lokayukta could be affected. Hence, recommending his name was not appropriate, he said.
