Uttar Pradesh government has recommended Shambhu Singh Yadav, a retired 1997-batch IAS officer and presently posted as ex-officio OSD and secretary to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, for the post of Up-Lokayukta. The post was vacant since the term of Swatantra Singh ended last year. Government sources said that the file recommending Shambu’s name was sent to the Governor for his approval late Thursday
afternoon. Shambhu, who had retired three years ago, is currently serving on extension. He is considered close to the Yadav family and had served as special secretary to Mulayam Singh Yadav during the latter’s tenure as Chief Minister.
The selection of Up-Lokayukta takes place under consultation with the Lokayukta and, unlike the latter’s appointment, there is no requirement to consult Chief Justice of Allahabad.
Swatantra Singh was appointed Up-Lokayukta on October 1, 2007 and served until the end of his term in September 2015. However, amendments in the Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta Act now allows the sitting up-Lokayukta to continue until the new appointment has been finalised.
Earlier, even the appointment of Lokayukta went through a strenuous process when the Supreme Court had to intervene to end the inordinate delay and the state government’s refusal to appoint one even after being urged by the apex court on several occasions. The Supreme Court finally exercised its powers and appointed Sanjay Mishra as the new Lokayukta of UP earlier this year.
Asked about Shambu’s recommendation by the state government, Governor Ram Naik, who was in Gorakhpur Friday to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said “The file has been received but I am yet to look at it.”
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