Uttarakhand: High Court orders, appoint Lokayukta in 8 weeks, Dhami said – Government is committed to a corruption-free state

The High Court has ordered the government to appoint the Lokayukta within eight weeks on a petition filed for the appointment of the Lokayukta in the state and for the smooth functioning of the Lokayukta institution. While directing to present the report of compliance of the order, the court also banned the expenditure in the Lokayukta’s office till then. The next hearing will be on August 10. On the previous date, the court had asked the government to tell through an affidavit what it has done so far for the appointment of Lokayukta and since when the institution was formed. Since then till March 31, 2023 how much was spent on it. Was asked to present its year-wise details. It was informed by the government that from 2010-11 till now, out of the allocated 36 crores, about 30 crores have been spent. This year also two crore 44 lakh has been allocated. On Tuesday, a hearing was held on the PIL filed by social worker Ravi Shankar Joshi, a resident of Haldwani Gaulapar, in the division bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal. In which it has been said that the state government has not yet appointed the Lokayukta while two to three crores are being spent annually in the name of the institution.

According to the petitioner, strict action is being taken against corruption through Lokayukta in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, but many scams are taking place in Uttarakhand. Every small matter has to be brought to the High Court. At present, all the investigative agencies of the state are under the government, whose complete control is in the hands of the political leadership of the state. There is no such investigative agency in the state of Uttarakhand “which has the authority to register corruption cases against any gazetted officers without the prior permission of the government.

The Vigilance Department, which is promoted in the name of independent and fair investigation, is also a part of the State Police, whose complete control remains with the Police Headquarters, Vigilance Department or the Chief Minister’s Office.

A clear proof of how important a completely transparent, independent and fair investigation system is to the citizens of the state is that in the previous assembly elections, political parties formed their governments in the state to eliminate administrative and political corruption. Had promised to appoint a strong Lokayukta, which has not been fulfilled till date.

What did Dhami say?

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while talking to reporters on this subject, said that the selection committee is working fast in this matter from the assembly level. No decision of the Select Committee has come yet. The CM said that the state government is working on the policy of zero tolerance against corruption. The government is also giving information about the helpline set up against corruption in every office. On which any person can complain and give information about bribery or corruption. CM Dhami said that the state government is also working in accordance with the decisions of Prime Minister Modi.

Trivendra government brought Lokayukta bill

After the formation of the government in the year 2017, the Trivendra government brought the Lokayukta Bill in the Vidhansabha. But despite the consent of the opposition, the Bill was referred to the Select Committee. Since then the Bill is pending before the Select Committee of the Legislative Assembly. The opposition repeatedly raised questions on the role of the government on this issue.

Lokayukta was not made, complaints kept coming

People had so much faith in the institution of Lokayukta that even after the departure of Justice MM Ghildial from the post of Lokayukta in November 2013, complaints kept pouring in. According to RTI information, this series of complaints continued till June 15, 2022. But the governments could not make Lokayukta. Even after the post of Lokayukta was vacant, 970 complaints were registered. Since the appointment of Lokayukta till June 2022, 8535 complaints have been registered in Lokayukta, out of which 6920 complaints have been resolved.

We welcome the decision of the High Court. This will create an environment of cleanliness in the state. The cases of corruption that have taken place in the BJP government in the last eight years will be able to come to the fore. Congress has continuously raised its voice regarding the appointment of Lokayukta.

– Karan Mahra, State President, Congress

Zero tolerance on corruption is the resolve of our government. In the last six years, the BJP government has taken the harshest steps to root out corruption. The order of the court will be followed.

– Mahendra Bhatt, State President, BJP

I am not yet aware of the order of the court regarding the appointment of Lokayukta in eight months. Will test it after receiving the order, only then something can be said.

– Shailesh Bagauli, Secretary, Chief Minister