Naik says law and order in UP a matter of concern

UP Governor Ram Naik, whose comments on the issue of law and order and coal shortage in the state did not go down well with the SP government, today maintained that law and order and electricity shortage were areas of concern.

"Law and order and power scarcity have been two major areas of my concern and sometimes I have also given open expression to it", he said.

On the issue of power shortage, the governor said he had also made an intervention by facilitating talk between Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

"The chief minister had assured that he would personally talk to the union minister after by elections", the Governor told PTI.

Refusing to elaborate on the reasons hampering improvement of law and order situation in the state, Naik said, "Law and order is a serious issue but I will not go into who is responsible for it or not... that would be a political comment".

On the BSP making a demand for the dismissal of the state government on this count, Naik said so far no one has specifically made the demand to him.

Some of the moves of the Governor including seeking status report on Lokayukta recommendations, returning an ordinance granting cabinet minister status to chairman of the state minority commission besides his stand on the law and order situation have irked the government.

Apparently upset over the remarks, the Samajwadi Party yesterday raised the issue of the "significance of the post of Governor and its framework."

In its resolution passed at its national convention, the SP has regretted that some people occupying constitutional posts worked against its dignity.

"Some Governors took unconstitutional steps as representative of a political party due to which a debate has started on the relevance of the post of Governor," it said.

The governor said his stress is on maintaining good relations with all political parties for development of the state.

"There is no reason for anyone to be afraid of my being in the Raj Bhawan... I have met leaders of almost all political parties after taking office and also have good relations with some of them since my days in Lok Sabha", he said to a question on reservations in the government over his perceived active role.

On the issue of Lokayukta recommendations, Naik said, "The Lokauykta is not being seen in proper light...there had been several reports lying with no follow up action taken. So, I took it up with the chief minister and he too accepted it...now it seems that some action would be taken ".

The Governor said he has also received several complaints against MPs and MLAs and has sent them to the chief minister and asked him to acknowledge it.

Naik, who soon after taking over the gubernatorial post, issued a notification doing away with the colonial prefix of 'His Excellency" or "mahamahim", said it has been appreciated by the people.

"I have sent it (notification) to governors of other states and they have also said that they would be implementing it", he said.