In a major move, Madhya Pradesh governor Ram Naresh Yadav has ordered "necessary action" in the appointment of state Lokayukta allegedly done through faulty procedures.
A letter, copy of which was received through the Right to Information Act by activist Ajay Dubey, has been
written by the Governor's House to the principal secretary (General Administration Department) of Madhya Pradesh government late last week in this regard.
The action assumes significance as the principle opposition party, Congress and civil society activists, including Dubey have accused the Shivraj Singh Chouhan led BJP Government in the state of not following mandatory procedures in the appointment of Lokayukta.
The letter cites irregularities including improper selection procedure and non-formation of a panel to choose Lokayukta pointed out by Dubey and directed the state government to "take appropriate action".
According to the complainant, the state government did not follow the necessary norms while consulting the Leader of Opposition in the legislative assembly for the Lokayukta's appointment thus breaching appointment rules for the ombudsmen.
"There have been a series of irregularities by the Government. We seeks Lokayukta's removal from the State," said Dubey.
Madhya Pradesh government officials are, however, tight-lipped on the matter and denying all charges raised by the complainant.
Retired Supreme Court Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar was made Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta on June 26, 2009 for a period of six years.
The state Lokayukta is probing a number of corruption cases involving government and senior bureaucrats including State's Chief Secretary Avni Vaishya for organising a dinner to about 250 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers allegedly at the taxpayers' money.
Interestingly, a copy of the letter written by secretary to the governor has been forwarded to Vaishya for his perusal.