Government can recall Upa Lokayukta: Rama Jois

BANGALORE: The state government, which had allegedly failed to follow the laid down procedures while appointing Justice Chandrashekaraiah as Upa Lokayukta, has powers to recall, Rajya Sabha Member and former Bihar Governor Justice (Retd) Rama Jois opined here on Sunday.Jois told Express that there was room for the state government to recall the appointment, if it was convinced that there were administrative lapses while recommending Justice Chandrashekaraiah’s name for the Upa Lokayukta post.Stating that there is a difference between ‘recall’ and ‘removal’ of the appointment made to the Lokayukta institution, Jois said that since the government had reportedly not consulted the High Court Chief Justice, it amounts to a procedural lapse.Replying to a question whether the Governor has also faulted while endorsing the recommendations of the state government on the appointment issue, Jois said, “The Karnataka Governor had acted on the advice of the state cabinet and so he cannot be blamed for the controversy.”He also dismissed possibilities of the Upa Lokayukta being removed by passing a resolution in the Legislature.Meanwhile, Motamma, who is a member of the six-member panel who should have been consulted before the appointment, has denied receiving any communication from the CM on appointing the second Upa Lokayukta. “The state could have avoided this controversy if proper procedures had been scrupulously followed,” she said.