Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asking him to send a list of names for the post of lokayukta (anti-corruption ombudsman) without any delay.
In his letter sent to chief minister’s office, Jung said since the candidate for the post will only be decided after the President approved his/her name adding that the chief minister needed to give utmost priority to the issue and send the names without any delay.
He said, “It may be noted that for appointment of Lokayukta in respect of NCT (national capital territory) Delhi, prior approval of the President is required. As such it is incumbent on the office of the L-G, Delhi to propose a suitable name after following due process. A proposal thus should be sent expeditiously. L-G has desired that this be accorded utmost priority.”
Jung continued,”In view of the provisions in law and the previous two communications from this secretariat, it is imperative that a panel of names is sent to this secretariat without any further delay, for formal consultation with the leader of opposition and chief justice of Delhi High Court.”
Delhi hasn’t had any Lokayukta since 2013. Delhi High Court, on an earlier occasion, had said that it would be better if the government appointed the lokayukta quickly. Arvind Kejriwal government, which assumed office in February this year, had assured the court that it was ‘committed to implementing the Lokayukta act.’
A Lokayukt, under the existing act, is appointed after consultations with the chief justice of the high court and the leader of the opposition.
Jung’s letter stated, “The above appointment has been much delayed and this secretariat reminded the government of NCT Delhi on three occasions, the latest being August 28, 2015. I will proceed in the matter as soon as I have formally received a panel of names from the government of NCT Delhi.”
The leader of opposition in Delhi assembly, Vijendra Gupta had attacked the state government accusing them to propose the name of AP Shah, Law Commission’s Chairman, without following due procedure. Shah had later declined the government’s offer.