Presidential nod to Lok Ayukta Bill indicates Kerala Guv stand wrong: Minister Rajeev

Governor Khan reserved seven bills, including University Amendment and Kerala Lok Ayukta Bill, for Presidential assent.

Published Feb 29, 2024 | 12:17 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 29, 2024 | 12:17 PM

Kerala Law, Industries and Coir Minister P Rajeeve. (Wikimedia)

President Droupadi Murmu’s assent to the Kerala Lok Ayukta Bill, passed by the assembly in August 2022, indicates that Governor Arif Mohammed Khan’s stand on the matter was wrong, state Law Minister P Rajeev said on Thursday, 29 February.

His reaction comes in the wake of media reports that the President approved the amended Bill.

Rajeev said that when the Lokpal Bill was being discussed in the Parliament, a decision was taken that the states have the power to frame a similar law and therefore, there was nothing wrong in the manner in which the amendments were made to the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act.

He said that when the Governor had sought a clarification regarding the bill, it was read out to him and therefore, he ought to have signed it back then.

Minister claims no need for Presidential assent, but it now contradicts Governor’s stand.
Governor Khan reserved seven bills, including University Amendment and Kerala Lok Ayukta Bill, for Presidential assent.
Kerala government accuses Khan in Supreme Court for not granting assent to several bills.
Despite opposition, Kerala Assembly passes Lok Ayukta (Amendment) Bill on 30 August 2022.
UDF members boycott, term it a “black day” in the state Assembly’s history.
CPI(M)-led LDF government argues the amendment aligns with the Centre’s Lokpal Act.
Bill grants state Assembly authority over Lok Ayukta’s findings against the Chief Minister.
Previous LDF government saw Higher Education Minister’s resignation based on Lok Ayukta’s findings of abuse of power.

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