In an unprecedented move, the Gujarat Governor has appointed Retd Justice R A Mehta as Lokayukta of the state, bypassing the Narendra Modi-led BJP government which had kept the post vacant for the last seven years.
Gujarat Opposition Leader Shaktisinh Gohil, who had led a delegation of Congress MLAs to the Governor on the issue of Lokayukta, said, "Gujarat Governor Kamla has appointed Retd Justice R A Mehta as Lokayukta late last night."
The name of Justice Mehta was suggested by Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court S J Mukhopadhaya to the state government, but it had not made the appointment till now, he said.
The move by the Governor of bypassing state government in appointment of Lokayukta was taken by her after "thorough consultation with legal experts," Gohil said.
"Governor has told us that non-appointment of Lokayukta for the last seven years, was a matter of grave concern as there was no authority to look into affairs of the government," he said.
Gohil said that as per Rule 3 of the Lokayukta Act of Gujarat it is for the Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court to suggest name of Lokayukta after consultation with Leader of Opposition.
The Gujarat government has no role to play in the appointment of Lokayukta, he said.
The Lokayukta Act says the Governor shall appoint the Lokayukta on the basis of suggestion by Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, Gohil added.
When Modi has supported Anna Hazare's movement for Jan Lokpal Bill, it was a "grave fault on his part not to appoint Lokayukta in Gujarat for the last seven years," Gohil said.
CM to brought under Lokayukta in Assam: Gogoi
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the chief minister would be brought under the ambit of the Lokayukta Bill in Assam and appealed to Gandhian Anna Hazare to end his fast.
"We will amend the Lokayukta Bill and also include the chief minister there", Gogoi said talking to reporters here.
"We are waiting for the Lokpal Bill to be passed in Parliament. We will take the guidelines from the Lokpal Bill, its main essence and provisions in our amendment", Gogoi said.
"We will also have provisions for the High Court to take up suo moto cases on corruption. We will also go for a peoples charter with guarantee of service, means to check bribe and create a grievance cell", he added.
To a query why government employees could not complain under the Lokayukta Bill, Gogoi said, "they can go to the vigilance cell. The public are the main victims".
On Anna Hazare's fast, he said, "we are concerned about the precious life of Anna Hazare. We want his fast to come to an end. We appeal to him from Assam to end his fast."
"There is no difference between Hazare, the government, political parties and civil society on his fight against corruption. It is a matter of serious concern for all that we see corruption everywhere", he pointed out.
Asserting there was difference in approach to the Lokpal Bill, Gogoi said, "it appears to me, team Anna insists on the Bill to be passed in Parliament, while the government has made it clear that only through discussions the bill can be worked out".
"It is a complicated matter and we have to solve it amicably through give and take, discussions and conciliation.
In a democracy nobody can afford to not solve issues amicably", Gogoi said.
Only through Parliament can the problem be solved as it was the only competent authority to make law, he added.
"Even if their (team Anna) Bill is passed it will not root out corruption. The fight has to go on. Anna Hazare has created awareness about corruption", the chief minister said.
"We want to change the moral character of the people with them vowing not to give and take bribes. The system has to be changed. If we computerise and introduce e-government, corruption can be ruled out to a great extent", Gogoi added.
