Dehradun, March 27 -- Even though the post of Lokayukta has remained vacant in Uttarakhand for more than 12 years, the Lokayukta office continues to receive complaints against public servants, indicating a persistent public expectation of accountability. Such long time inaction on the part of various governments since 2013 in appointing a Lok Ayukta in the state has only confirmed the public perception that the governments have not been keen on the appointment.
This is despite strict directions issued by, both, the Supreme Court and the High Court, instances of senior officials being jailed on corruption charges, and repeated claims by the government of maintaining zero tolerance towards corruption. Meanwhile, the office and staff at the L...