Even as there is uncertainty over Governor Kamla Beniwals next steps,now that Justice R A Mehta is not likely to change his decision after refusing to be the Lokayukta,the Gujarat government is maintaining that it has left no stone unturned to welcome him. In a note titled Facts on the Gujarat Lokayukta issue - posted in Gujarati on the governments official website and in English on Chief Minister Narendra Modis details how the state government had even put out an indent for a new car for Justice Mehta and was renovating the office. The note on Modis website says,Just when the State Government was making all preparations for the swearing-in ceremony and the Roads & Building Department was busy building and renovating the Lokayukta office,the designated Lokayukta sent letters to the Governor and Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court refusing the offer..How is it reasonable and right? The note says that after the Supreme Court upheld his appointment on January 2,Justice Mehta was given a copy of the details about the office premises and staff at a meeting on January 6 this year. However,what this note misses out on is that the Gujarat government was simultaneously challenging this decision,first through a review petition against Mehtas appointment and,when that was dismissed by the apex court in May,through a curative petition before SC. The note goes on to say,No sooner than the judgment on legal procedure (when the curative petition was dismissed by SC),the State Government sent GAD (general administrative department) Secretary K Srinivas as an emissary with a letter on July 26,2013 to suggest time of swearing-in ceremony as per the incumbents convenience. Before the letter was delivered it came to light that he had gone abroad and would return around August 6. Justice Mehta returned from the US on August 6 and announced he was refusing the offer. Reacting to Justice Mehtas letter which said the state government did not care to issue a notification,the government note says that the procedure was in conformity,as followed by oath of office for President of India or Governors of States.. The state government note calls Justice Mehtas seven-page letter on refusing the post of Lokayukta,as unfortunate.
