Government erred in Upa Lokayukta appointment, criticizes Moily

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Udupi, February 13, 2012 : Addressing reporters at a press conference, M. Veerappa Moily, the union corporate affairs minister, said on Sunday that the state government’s appointment of Justice Chandrashekaraiah as the Upa Lokayukta without following the required procedure of consulting Justice Vikramjit Sen, the chief justice of the Karnataka High Court, shows that it does not respect the law.

Stating that the state government is committing a number of mistakes while appointing the Lokayukta and the Upa Lokayukta, he said that it made its first mistake while appointing the Lokayukta, after which it made its second mistake while appointing the Upa Lokayukta.

He said that the Upa Lokayukta can be appointed only after consulting the governor, the presiding officers of the council and the assembly, the leaders of the opposition in council and assembly, and the chief justice of the High Court.

Stating that the chief minister’s failure to consult the chief justice of the High Court is a grave mistake, he said that the state government ought to have rectified its errors, instead of which it made arrogant remarks. He urged the state government to consult the chief justice, remarking that no other government would have exhibited disregard for the judiciary in such a manner.

Voicing his opinion of the porn-viewing episode, he said that the speaker of the legislative assembly has set up an enquiry committee. Stating that the act of viewing porn in assembly is a serious violation of morality and ethics, he said that stern action must be taken against the guilty ministers.

He also said that he has just completed an epic poem titled “Draupadi” and is now giving finishing touches to it. He said that it will be published in Kannada in 9 – 10 months.