Bengaluru: The office of the Lokayukta- headless and weakened by the creation of the Anti-Corruption Bureau - may now take longer to revive with Governor Vajubai Vala reportedly raising queries about the state government's proposal to appoint Justice S.R. Nayak as the new Lokayukta of the state.
Sources said while the Governor cannot reject the government's proposal, he can send back the file with his objections noted. The Lokayukta's post, vacant since Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao resigned amidst a flurry of allegations of corruption against the Lokayukta's institution, could now take longer to fill, leaving the agency with no leadership to take on the corrupt in government.
Going by sources, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa were the only two in the six-member panel, who backed Justice Nayak's appointment, The two opposition leaders, Jagadish Shettar and K.S. Eshwarappa
Eshwarappa, Legislative Council chairman, D.H. Shankaramurthy and Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, S.K. Mukherjee had reportedly recommended Justice Vikramjit Sen for the post.
Official sources said the government had not thought of any fresh names as yet for the Lokayukta's post. "We will have to consult our leaders on this issue," said a minister.
The post of chief information commissioner too had been lying vacant for long with the Governor sending back the related file as well. The post was filled only recently with former additional chief secretary to the Chief Minister, D.N. Narasimha Raju appointed chief information commissioner on Monday.
