Lokayukta’s term extended by 2 yrs

This is the second ordinance sent by the government in this regard. The first ordinance,extending the tenure of the Lokayukta from six to eight years by amending the Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta Act 1975,was approved in the very first cabinet meeting of Akhilesh on March 15.

Sources said the decision was taken in haste to ensure that Mehrotra,whose term was ending on the same date,continued in office. However,this ordinance reached Raj Bhavan well after office hours on March 15 and could not be pursued by the governor,who left for Delhi in the afternoon. By the time the ordinance was sent to Raj Bhavan by the government,Mehrotra’s term had officially ended.

The government then sent another ordinance with an additional clause that the term of the UP Lokayukta be extended from six to eight years but with retrospective effect from March 15. This ordinance was sent to Raj Bhawan on March 18 and the UP government pursued it regularly.

Mehrotra was appointed Lokayukta on March 16,2002,by the then governor T V Rajeshwar after a unanimous recommendation by then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav,then Leader of Opposition Lalji Tandon,and then Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court A N Ray.

In the past year and a half,Mehrotra came into the limelight for indicting several ministers of the ruling Bahujan Samajwadi Party on charges of corruption,disproportionate assets and misuse of office. Taking cognizance of his reports,Mayawati had also removed seven of her ministers. Several investigations against BSP ministers are still pending with him.