File Photo: Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik
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.
Governor Naik, while returning the file, said the Cabinet has no role in appointment of Lokayukta, it has its own process, a Raj Bhawan spokesman said in Lucknow.
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.