Narendra Modi for greater say on lokayukta

Bypassed in the Gujarat lokayukta appointment, the state government is set to propose amendments to the act to curtail the powers of the governor and the high court chief justice in the selection process.

Bypassed in the Gujarat lokayukta appointment, the state government is set to propose amendments to the act to curtail the powers of the governor and the high court chief justice in the selection process.

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“The amendment bill is likely to be tabled in the assembly on March 26 and will seek to give the CM and the council of ministers the final say in the lokayukta appointment,” said a source.

The move comes even as retired Gujarat high court judge, justice RA Mehta, appointed lokayukta by governor Kamla Beniwal in August 2011, is yet to assume charge.

Following a standoff between chief minister Narendra Modi and Beniwal over the appointment, the state government has waged a legal battle challenging her decision.

Last week, the Supreme Court upheld Mehta’s appointment, notified by Beniwal on the recommendation of then Gujarat chief justice SJ Mukhopadhya, who is now a judge in the apex court.

The state government has now filed a curative petition.